Patents by Inventor Michael Buchanan

Michael Buchanan 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: 20240383499
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generation and use of surfel maps to plan for occlusions. One of the methods includes receiving a previously-generated surfel map depicting an area in which a vehicle is located, the surfel map comprising a plurality of surfels, each surfel corresponding to a respective different location in the area in which a vehicle is located; receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data representing the area in which the vehicle is located; determining, based on the sensor data, that the area in which a vehicle is located includes a dynamic object having a changed shape relative to its representation in the surfel map; and generating an updated path for the vehicle to travel that avoids an occlusion by the changed shape of the dynamic object of a line of sight of one or more sensors to an area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Aleksandar Rumenov Gabrovski, Colin Andrew Braley, David Yonchar Margines
  • Patent number: 12071156
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generation and use of surfel maps to plan for occlusions. One of the methods includes receiving a previously-generated surfel map depicting an area in which a vehicle is located, the surfel map comprising a plurality of surfels, each surfel corresponding to a respective different location in the area in which a vehicle is located; receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data representing the area in which the vehicle is located; determining, based on the sensor data, that the area in which a vehicle is located includes a dynamic object having a changed shape relative to its representation in the surfel map; and generating an updated path for the vehicle to travel that avoids an occlusion by the changed shape of the dynamic object of a line of sight of one or more sensors to an area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Aleksandar Rumenov Gabrovski, Colin Andrew Braley, David Yonchar Margines
  • Patent number: 12051402
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Patent number: 11996085
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving audio data including an utterance, obtaining context data that indicates one or more expected speech recognition results, determining an expected speech recognition result based on the context data, receiving an intermediate speech recognition result generated by a speech recognition engine, comparing the intermediate speech recognition result to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, determining whether the intermediate speech recognition result corresponds to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, and setting an end of speech condition and providing a final speech recognition result in response to determining the intermediate speech recognition result matches the expected speech recognition result, the final speech recognition result including the one or more expected speech recognition results indicated b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Petar Aleksic, Glen Shires, Michael Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20230237988
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael BUCHANAN, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Patent number: 11710477
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing are described. In one aspect, a method includes the action of accessing voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user. The actions further include based on the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user, determining a pause threshold from the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by the particular user. The actions further include receiving, from the particular user, an utterance. The actions further include determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold. The actions further include based on determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold, processing the utterance as a voice query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Siddhi Tadpatrikar, Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 11636846
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Publication number: 20220097726
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generation and use of surfel maps to plan for occlusions. One of the methods includes receiving a previously-generated surfel map depicting an area in which a vehicle is located, the surfel map comprising a plurality of surfels, each surfel corresponding to a respective different location in the area in which a vehicle is located; receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data representing the area in which the vehicle is located; determining, based on the sensor data, that the area in which a vehicle is located includes a dynamic object having a changed shape relative to its representation in the surfel map; and generating an updated path for the vehicle to travel that avoids an occlusion by the changed shape of the dynamic object of a line of sight of one or more sensors to an area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Aleksandar Rumenov Gabrovski, Colin Andrew Braley, David Yonchar Margines
  • Publication number: 20210312903
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing are described. In one aspect, a method includes the action of accessing voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user. The actions further include based on the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user, determining a pause threshold from the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by the particular user. The actions further include receiving, from the particular user, an utterance. The actions further include determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold. The actions further include based on determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold, processing the utterance as a voice query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Siddhi Tadpatrikar, Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20210248995
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Patent number: 11062696
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing are described. In one aspect, a method includes the action of accessing voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user. The actions further include based on the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user, determining a pause threshold from the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by the particular user. The actions further include receiving, from the particular user, an utterance. The actions further include determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold. The actions further include based on determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold, processing the utterance as a voice query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Siddhi Tadpatrikar, Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 11004441
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Publication number: 20210090554
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving audio data including an utterance, obtaining context data that indicates one or more expected speech recognition results, determining an expected speech recognition result based on the context data, receiving an intermediate speech recognition result generated by a speech recognition engine, comparing the intermediate speech recognition result to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, determining whether the intermediate speech recognition result corresponds to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, and setting an end of speech condition and providing a final speech recognition result in response to determining the intermediate speech recognition result matches the expected speech recognition result, the final speech recognition result including the one or more expected speech recognition results indicated b
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Petar Aleksic, Glen Shires, Michael Buchanan
  • Patent number: 10885898
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving audio data including an utterance, obtaining context data that indicates one or more expected speech recognition results, determining an expected speech recognition result based on the context data, receiving an intermediate speech recognition result generated by a speech recognition engine, comparing the intermediate speech recognition result to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, determining whether the intermediate speech recognition result corresponds to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, and setting an end of speech condition and providing a final speech recognition result in response to determining the intermediate speech recognition result matches the expected speech recognition result, the final speech recognition result including the one or more expected speech recognition results indicated b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Petar Aleksic, Glen Shires, Michael Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20200043466
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Patent number: 10546576
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono
  • Publication number: 20190318721
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing are described. In one aspect, a method includes the action of accessing voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user. The actions further include based on the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user, determining a pause threshold from the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by the particular user. The actions further include receiving, from the particular user, an utterance. The actions further include determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold. The actions further include based on determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold, processing the utterance as a voice query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Siddhi Tadpatrikar, Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 10339917
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving audio data including an utterance, obtaining context data that indicates one or more expected speech recognition results, determining an expected speech recognition result based on the context data, receiving an intermediate speech recognition result generated by a speech recognition engine, comparing the intermediate speech recognition result to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, determining whether the intermediate speech recognition result corresponds to the expected speech recognition result for the audio data based on the context data, and setting an end of speech condition and providing a final speech recognition result in response to determining the intermediate speech recognition result matches the expected speech recognition result, the final speech recognition result including the one or more expected speech recognition results indicated b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Petar Aleksic, Glen Shires, Michael Buchanan
  • Patent number: 10269341
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing are described. In one aspect, a method includes the action of accessing voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user. The actions further include based on the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by a particular user, determining a pause threshold from the voice query log data that includes voice queries spoken by the particular user. The actions further include receiving, from the particular user, an utterance. The actions further include determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold. The actions further include based on determining that the particular user has stopped speaking for at least a period of time equal to the pause threshold, processing the utterance as a voice query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Siddhi Tadpatrikar, Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20190043480
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for speech endpointing based on word comparisons are described. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of obtaining a transcription of an utterance. The actions further include determining, as a first value, a quantity of text samples in a collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) do not include any additional terms. The actions further include determining, as a second value, a quantity of text samples in the collection of text samples that (i) include terms that match the transcription, and (ii) include one or more additional terms. The actions further include classifying the utterance as a likely incomplete utterance or not a likely incomplete utterance based at least on comparing the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Buchanan, Pravir Kumar Gupta, Christopher Bo Tandiono