Patents by Inventor Nathan Merkley

Nathan Merkley 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: 20250002039
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle system and method is disclosed that allows an operator to override a stop command issued from an obstacle detection and avoidance subsystem of the autonomous vehicle. Most autonomous vehicles include an obstacle detection and avoidance subsystem that detects potential obstacles along the path of the autonomous vehicle and may send a command to stop the autonomous vehicle. When the obstacle detection and avoidance subsystem detects a potential obstacle (regardless of whether the potential obstacle does or does not exist) and the path is still traversable, the autonomous vehicle may still stop unnecessarily. The disclosed system and methods will allow an operator to override commands issued by the obstacle detection and avoidance subsystem and allow the autonomous vehicle to continue along the path regardless of any potential obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Garrett Winward, Nathan Merkley, Taylor Bybee, Daniel Morwood, Levi Baker, Benjamin Call, Jeff Ferrin, Brad Bailio, Richard Hoyt