Patents by Inventor Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs

Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs 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: 11785572
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 11692841
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20230048123
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 11496984
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 11231292
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20200351812
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 10816983
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 10721706
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 10451433
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20180364723
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20180302875
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 10036648
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Douglas Cullinane
  • Patent number: 9950708
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing driving operations of a vehicle based on occupant(s) of the vehicle. An autonomous vehicle that includes a passenger compartment can determine a presence of an occupant of the passenger compartment. The autonomous vehicle can determine a location of the occupant within the passenger compartment. Additional information about the occupant can be determined. A driving operation can be selected from among a plurality of driving operations based on the location and additional information about the occupant. The selected driving operation can be performed, perhaps by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 9894633
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include identifying, by a computing device, a geographic proximity of an entity, establishing, by the computing device, direct short-range communications with the entity, the computing device and the entity being able to communicate with one another using a short-range communication protocol. The method can further include receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the computing device shares an identifier with the entity, and receiving, by the computing device, information relevant to the computing device regarding the entity based on the shared identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Randall Cole Luecke
  • Patent number: 9632570
    Abstract: A data processing device may receive, from an application running on the data processing device, an indication that one or more sensors may be associated with a user input for the application. Based on sensing information collected from the one or more sensors, a characteristic of the user input may be determined by the data processing device. The data processing device may refrain from entering a sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input matches a specific characteristic condition specified by the application. The data processing device may allow entering the sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input does not match the specific characteristic condition for a specific timeout period specified by the application. The data processing device may receive the indication, information on the specific characteristic condition and/or information on the specific timeout period via invoking, by the application, one or more application programming interfaces (APIs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Alex Ainslie
  • Patent number: 9528850
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Douglas Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20160334862
    Abstract: A data processing device may receive, from an application running on the data processing device, an indication that one or more sensors may be associated with a user input for the application. Based on sensing information collected from the one or more sensors, a characteristic of the user input may be determined by the data processing device. The data processing device may refrain from entering a sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input matches a specific characteristic condition specified by the application. The data processing device may allow entering the sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input does not match the specific characteristic condition for a specific timeout period specified by the application. The data processing device may receive the indication, information on the specific characteristic condition and/or information on the specific timeout period via invoking, by the application, one or more application programming interfaces (APIs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Alex Ainslie
  • Patent number: 9454208
    Abstract: A data processing device may receive, from an application running on the data processing device, an indication that one or more sensors may be associated with a user input for the application. Based on sensing information collected from the one or more sensors, a characteristic of the user input may be determined by the data processing device. The data processing device may refrain from entering a sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input matches a specific characteristic condition specified by the application. The data processing device may allow entering the sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input does not match the specific characteristic condition for a specific timeout period specified by the application. The data processing device may receive the indication, information on the specific characteristic condition and/or information on the specific timeout period via invoking, by the application, one or more application programming interfaces (APIs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Alex Ainslie
  • Patent number: 9323362
    Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosure, an input device may include a first adjustment region, a second adjustment region, a connector region, a function region, and a display region. In one example, A user may access a particular function by providing a gesture to the function region. The user may then continue the gesture from the function region to the connector region for a predetermined length along the connector region. Once a particular function is accessed, a user may control the parameters or settings associated with that particular function via one or both of the first adjustment region and second adjustment region. For example, a user may provide a gesture to either the first or second adjustment region in order to modify parameters associated with the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs
  • Patent number: 9268442
    Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosure, an input device may include a first adjustment region, a second adjustment region, a connector region, a function region, and a display region. In one example, a user may access a particular function by providing a gesture to the function region. The user may then continue the gesture from the function region to the connector region for a predetermined length along the connector region. Once a particular function is accessed, a user may control the parameters or settings associated with that particular function via one or both of the first adjustment region and second adjustment region. For example, a user may provide a gesture to either the first or second adjustment region in order to modify parameters associated with the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs