Patents by Inventor Mark Shand

Mark Shand 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).

  • Patent number: 11837841
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a scanning laser system configured to emit laser light and an interlock circuit communicatively coupled to the scanning laser system. The interlock circuit may carry out certain operations. The operations include, as the scanning laser system emits laser light into one or more regions of an environment around the scanning laser system, determining a respective predicted dosage amount for each region based on the emitted laser light. The operations further include detecting an interlock condition. The interlock condition includes a predicted dosage amount for at least one region being greater than a threshold dose. In response to detecting the interlock condition, the operations include controlling the scanning laser system to reduce a subsequent dosage amount in the at least one region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20230234893
    Abstract: A wallboard product and a method of making a wallboard product are provided. The method may include providing a wallboard core. And exterior surface may be provided to the wallboard core. The exterior surface may include a magnesium compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. Shand, Jerry E. Rademan, Christopher McMillan Armstrong, Robert Hauber
  • Publication number: 20230184908
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for protecting a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device against external light that is originated at a light source other than a light source of the LIDAR device and that is being emitted towards the LIDAR device. In particular, the LIDAR device may be equipped with a mitigation system that includes an interference filter, an absorptive filter, an adaptive filter, and/or a spatial filter. Additionally or alternatively, the LIDAR device may be operated to carry out reactive and/or proactive mitigation operations. For example, the LIDAR device may be operated to vary over time characteristics with which light is being emitted and to only detect light having characteristics that match the characteristics with which light is being emitted. In another example, the LIDAR device may be operated to activate a shutter to block the external light from being detected by the LIDAR device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Simon Verghese, Pierre-Yves Droz, Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20230155340
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a scanning laser system configured to emit laser light and an interlock circuit communicatively coupled to the scanning laser system. The interlock circuit may carry out certain operations. The operations include, as the scanning laser system emits laser light into one or more regions of an environment around the scanning laser system, determining a respective predicted dosage amount for each region based on the emitted laser light. The operations further include detecting an interlock condition. The interlock condition includes a predicted dosage amount for at least one region being greater than a threshold dose. In response to detecting the interlock condition, the operations include controlling the scanning laser system to reduce a subsequent dosage amount in the at least one region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Shand
  • Patent number: 11614523
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for protecting a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device against external light that is originated at a light source other than a light source of the LIDAR device and that is being emitted towards the LIDAR device. In particular, the LIDAR device may be equipped with a mitigation system that includes an interference filter, an absorptive filter, an adaptive filter, and/or a spatial filter. Additionally or alternatively, the LIDAR device may be operated to carry out reactive and/or proactive mitigation operations. For example, the LIDAR device may be operated to vary over time characteristics with which light is being emitted and to only detect light having characteristics that match the characteristics with which light is being emitted. In another example, the LIDAR device may be operated to activate a shutter to block the external light from being detected by the LIDAR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Simon Verghese, Pierre-Yves Droz, Mark Shand
  • Patent number: 11522330
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a scanning laser system configured to emit laser light and an interlock circuit communicatively coupled to the scanning laser system. The interlock circuit may carry out certain operations. The operations include, as the scanning laser system emits laser light into one or more regions of an environment around the scanning laser system, determining a respective predicted dosage amount for each region based on the emitted laser light. The operations further include detecting an interlock condition. The interlock condition includes a predicted dosage amount for at least one region being greater than a threshold dose. In response to detecting the interlock condition, the operations include controlling the scanning laser system to reduce a subsequent dosage amount in the at least one region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20220244362
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to arrays of light detectors with a corresponding array of optical elements. An example embodiment includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. The LIDAR system includes an array of light detectors. The LIDAR system also includes a shared imaging optic. Further, the LIDAR system includes an array of optical elements positioned between the shared imaging optic and the array of light detectors. Each light detector in the array of light detectors is configured to detect a respective light signal from a respective region of a scene. Each respective light signal is transmitted via the shared imaging optic and modified by a respective optical element in the array of optical elements based on at least one aspect of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Ralph H. Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, David Schleuning, Mark Shand, Luke Wachter
  • Patent number: 11333748
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to arrays of light detectors with a corresponding array of optical elements. An example embodiment includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. The LIDAR system includes an array of light detectors. The LIDAR system also includes a shared imaging optic. Further, the LIDAR system includes an array of optical elements positioned between the shared imaging optic and the array of light detectors. Each light detector in the array of light detectors is configured to detect a respective light signal from a respective region of a scene. Each respective light signal is transmitted via the shared imaging optic and modified by a respective optical element in the array of optical elements based on at least one aspect of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Ralph H. Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, David Schleuning, Mark Shand, Luke Wachter
  • Publication number: 20210101832
    Abstract: A geopolymer cement and a method of producing the same are provided. A geopolymer cement binder may be provided including a geopolymer precursor and magnesium oxide as an alkali activator. The geopolymer cement binder may be mixed with water using high shear mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry Elliot Rademan, Mark A. Shand, John Kirin Gehret, Peyton Pool, SR.
  • Publication number: 20210055393
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for protecting a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device against external light that is originated at a light source other than a light source of the LIDAR device and that is being emitted towards the LIDAR device. In particular, the LIDAR device may be equipped with a mitigation system that includes an interference filter, an absorptive filter, an adaptive filter, and/or a spatial filter. Additionally or alternatively, the LIDAR device may be operated to carry out reactive and/or proactive mitigation operations. For example, the LIDAR device may be operated to vary over time characteristics with which light is being emitted and to only detect light having characteristics that match the characteristics with which light is being emitted. In another example, the LIDAR device may be operated to activate a shutter to block the external light from being detected by the LIDAR device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Simon Verghese, Pierre-Yves Droz, Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20200381884
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a scanning laser system configured to emit laser light and an interlock circuit communicatively coupled to the scanning laser system. The interlock circuit may carry out certain operations. The operations include, as the scanning laser system emits laser light into one or more regions of an environment around the scanning laser system, determining a respective predicted dosage amount for each region based on the emitted laser light. The operations further include detecting an interlock condition. The interlock condition includes a predicted dosage amount for at least one region being greater than a threshold dose. In response to detecting the interlock condition, the operations include controlling the scanning laser system to reduce a subsequent dosage amount in the at least one region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventor: Mark Shand
  • Patent number: 10845470
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for protecting a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device against external light that is originated at a light source other than a light source of the LIDAR device and that is being emitted towards the LIDAR device. In particular, the LIDAR device may be equipped with a mitigation system that includes an interference filter, an absorptive filter, an adaptive filter, and/or a spatial filter. Additionally or alternatively, the LIDAR device may be operated to carry out reactive and/or proactive mitigation operations. For example, the LIDAR device may be operated to vary over time characteristics with which light is being emitted and to only detect light having characteristics that match the characteristics with which light is being emitted. In another example, the LIDAR device may be operated to activate a shutter to block the external light from being detected by the LIDAR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Simon Verghese, Pierre-Yves Droz, Mark Shand
  • Patent number: 10797460
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a scanning laser system configured to emit laser light and an interlock circuit communicatively coupled to the scanning laser system. The interlock circuit may carry out certain operations. The operations include, as the scanning laser system emits laser light into one or more regions of an environment around the scanning laser system, determining a respective predicted dosage amount for each region based on the emitted laser light. The operations further include detecting an interlock condition. The interlock condition includes a predicted dosage amount for at least one region being greater than a threshold dose. In response to detecting the interlock condition, the operations include controlling the scanning laser system to reduce a subsequent dosage amount in the at least one region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20200274311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a scanning laser system configured to emit laser light and an interlock circuit communicatively coupled to the scanning laser system. The interlock circuit may carry out certain operations. The operations include, as the scanning laser system emits laser light into one or more regions of an environment around the scanning laser system, determining a respective predicted dosage amount for each region based on the emitted laser light. The operations further include detecting an interlock condition. The interlock condition includes a predicted dosage amount for at least one region being greater than a threshold dose. In response to detecting the interlock condition, the operations include controlling the scanning laser system to reduce a subsequent dosage amount in the at least one region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: Mark Shand
  • Patent number: 10674099
    Abstract: An optical system and method may relate to capturing extended dynamic range images. In an example embodiment, the optical system may include a lens element configured to receive incident light and a beam splitter optically coupled to the lens element. The beam splitter is configured to separate the incident light into at least a first portion having a first photon flux and a second portion having a second photon flux. The first photon flux is at least an order of magnitude greater than the second photon flux. A controller may be configured to cause a first image sensor to capture a first image of the first portion of the incident light according to first exposure parameters and cause a second image sensor to capture a second image of the second portion of the incident light according to second exposure parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Roman Lewkow, Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20200088859
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to arrays of light detectors with a corresponding array of optical elements. An example embodiment includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. The LIDAR system includes an array of light detectors. The LIDAR system also includes a shared imaging optic. Further, the LIDAR system includes an array of optical elements positioned between the shared imaging optic and the array of light detectors. Each light detector in the array of light detectors is configured to detect a respective light signal from a respective region of a scene. Each respective light signal is transmitted via the shared imaging optic and modified by a respective optical element in the array of optical elements based on at least one aspect of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph H. Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, David Schleuning, Mark Shand, Luke Wachter
  • Patent number: 10570980
    Abstract: An assembly for damping the movement of a vibrating body includes an energy dissipating material, a vessel, and a seal. The energy dissipating material may include one or more types of loose particles. The loose particles may include similar and/or dissimilar materials or a mixture thereof. The loose particles may at least partially fill the vessel. The vessel may be configured to conform to requirements of an environment of the vibrating body and to retain and/or store the loose particles. The seal may include a molded material, a plate, and/or a flange. In an embodiment, the plate may be at least partially encompassed within the seal, and the seal, plate, and/or flange may be configured to engage the vessel and/or to retain the loose particles within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC NORTH AMERICA L.P.
    Inventors: Brandon M. Nyboer, Otto J. Preikszas, Mark A. Shand, Paul D. Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20180255252
    Abstract: An optical system and method may relate to capturing extended dynamic range images. In an example embodiment, the optical system may include a lens element configured to receive incident light and a beam splitter optically coupled to the lens element. The beam splitter is configured to separate the incident light into at least a first portion having a first photon flux and a second portion having a second photon flux. The first photon flux is at least an order of magnitude greater than the second photon flux. A controller may be configured to cause a first image sensor to capture a first image of the first portion of the incident light according to first exposure parameters and cause a second image sensor to capture a second image of the second portion of the incident light according to second exposure parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Roman Lewkow, Mark Shand
  • Patent number: 9979906
    Abstract: An optical system and method may relate to capturing extended dynamic range images. In an example embodiment, the optical system may include a lens element configured to receive incident light and a beam splitter optically coupled to the lens element. The beam splitter is configured to separate the incident light into at least a first portion having a first photon flux and a second portion having a second photon flux. The first photon flux is at least an order of magnitude greater than the second photon flux. A controller may be configured to cause a first image sensor to capture a first image of the first portion of the incident light according to first exposure parameters and cause a second image sensor to capture a second image of the second portion of the incident light according to second exposure parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Roman Lewkow, Mark Shand
  • Publication number: 20180136321
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for protecting a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device against external light that is originated at a light source other than a light source of the LIDAR device and that is being emitted towards the LIDAR device. In particular, the LIDAR device may be equipped with a mitigation system that includes an interference filter, an absorptive filter, an adaptive filter, and/or a spatial filter. Additionally or alternatively, the LIDAR device may be operated to carry out reactive and/or proactive mitigation operations. For example, the LIDAR device may be operated to vary over time characteristics with which light is being emitted and to only detect light having characteristics that match the characteristics with which light is being emitted. In another example, the LIDAR device may be operated to activate a shutter to block the external light from being detected by the LIDAR device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Simon Verghese, Pierre-Yves Droz, Mark Shand