Patents by Inventor Peter Anderson-Sprecher

Peter Anderson-Sprecher 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: 20240037936
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11836974
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20230096840
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11562552
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11262200
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap representing a plurality of paths through an environment. The computing device can discretize the roadmap to obtain a discrete planning graph having a plurality of states corresponding to discretized segments of the plurality of paths of the roadmap such that states corresponding to adjacent discretized path segments are connected in the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a Boolean equation representing at least a portion of the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a sequence of states from the plurality of states of the discrete planning graph such that the determined sequence of states satisfies the Boolean equation. The computing device can provide a route through the environment for a robotic device based on the determined sequence of states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Intrinsic Innovation LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20210256287
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 11023763
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 10926410
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first and second coordinated paths for first and second robotic devices. The first coordinated path comprises a dependency edge indicating a first position on the first coordinated path and a second position on the second coordinated path. The method also includes determining a first traversable portion extending to a first stopping position before or at the first position on the first coordinated path. The method also includes providing a first instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the first traversable portion; subsequently determining that the second robotic device has passed the second position on the second coordinated path; determining a second traversable portion of the first coordinated path extending to a second stopping position beyond the first position on the first coordinated path; and providing a second instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the second traversable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20200302207
    Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Perkins, Charles DuHadway, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20200041274
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap representing a plurality of paths through an environment. The computing device can discretize the roadmap to obtain a discrete planning graph having a plurality of states corresponding to discretized segments of the plurality of paths of the roadmap such that states corresponding to adjacent discretized path segments are connected in the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a Boolean equation representing at least a portion of the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a sequence of states from the plurality of states of the discrete planning graph such that the determined sequence of states satisfies the Boolean equation. The computing device can provide a route through the environment for a robotic device based on the determined sequence of states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20190351553
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first and second coordinated paths for first and second robotic devices. The first coordinated path comprises a dependency edge indicating a first position on the first coordinated path and a second position on the second coordinated path. The method also includes determining a first traversable portion extending to a first stopping position before or at the first position on the first coordinated path. The method also includes providing a first instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the first traversable portion; subsequently determining that the second robotic device has passed the second position on the second coordinated path; determining a second traversable portion of the first coordinated path extending to a second stopping position beyond the first position on the first coordinated path; and providing a second instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the second traversable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 10480947
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap representing a plurality of paths through an environment. The computing device can discretize the roadmap to obtain a discrete planning graph having a plurality of states corresponding to discretized segments of the plurality of paths of the roadmap such that states corresponding to adjacent discretized path segments are connected in the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a Boolean equation representing at least a portion of the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a sequence of states from the plurality of states of the discrete planning graph such that the determined sequence of states satisfies the Boolean equation. The computing device can provide a route through the environment for a robotic device based on the determined sequence of states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 10406687
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first and second coordinated paths for first and second robotic devices. The first coordinated path comprises a dependency edge indicating a first position on the first coordinated path and a second position on the second coordinated path. The method also includes determining a first traversable portion extending to a first stopping position before or at the first position on the first coordinated path. The method also includes providing a first instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the first traversable portion; subsequently determining that the second robotic device has passed the second position on the second coordinated path; determining a second traversable portion of the first coordinated path extending to a second stopping position beyond the first position on the first coordinated path; and providing a second instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the second traversable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 10363657
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first time-parameterized path for the first robotic device, and an indication of a second robotic device having a second time-parameterized path that overlaps with the first time-parameterized path at a first location. The method also includes executing, by the first robotic device, a first portion of the first time-parameterized path before reaching the first location, wherein execution of the first portion corresponds to a first rate of progress of the first robotic device along the first time-parameterized path. The first robotic device then receives a communication signal from the second robotic device indicating a second rate of progress of the second robotic device along the second time-parameterized path. The method then includes the first robotic device determining a difference between the first rate of progress and the second rate of progress, and modifying execution of the first time-parameterized path based on the determined difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 10296012
    Abstract: A computing device can determine a roadmap having a path for a robotic device in an environment associated with starting and ending poses. The computing device can generate a plurality of trajectories from the starting pose, where each trajectory can include a steering position and a traction velocity directing the robotic device during a planning time interval. For each trajectory of the plurality of trajectories, the computing device can determine a score for the trajectory indicative of advancement from the starting pose toward the ending pose after simulating the steering position and the traction velocity for the planning time interval. The computing device can select, and then store, a nominal trajectory from among the scored plurality of trajectories. The computing device can receive a first request to provide a route though the environment and can send a first response that includes the stored nominal trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Patent number: 10107632
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for mobile robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap. The roadmap can include an intersection between first and second edges. The computing device can determine a transition curve between the first and second edges and includes first, second, and third curve segments. The first and second curve segments can connect at a first curve junction point. The second and third curve segments can connect at a second curve junction point. The first and third curve segments each include a segment of an Euler spiral and the second curve segment can be a circular curve segment having a fixed radius. The computing device can update the roadmap by replacing the intersection between the first and second edges with the transition curve. The computing device can provide the updated roadmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20180224282
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for mobile robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap. The roadmap can include an intersection between first and second edges. The computing device can determine a transition curve between the first and second edges and includes first, second, and third curve segments. The first and second curve segments can connect at a first curve junction point. The second and third curve segments can connect at a second curve junction point. The first and third curve segments each include a segment of an Euler spiral and the second curve segment can be a circular curve segment having a fixed radius. The computing device can update the roadmap by replacing the intersection between the first and second edges with the transition curve. The computing device can provide the updated roadmap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20180178376
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first time-parameterized path for the first robotic device, and an indication of a second robotic device having a second time-parameterized path that overlaps with the first time-parameterized path at a first location. The method also includes executing, by the first robotic device, a first portion of the first time-parameterized path before reaching the first location, wherein execution of the first portion corresponds to a first rate of progress of the first robotic device along the first time-parameterized path. The first robotic device then receives a communication signal from the second robotic device indicating a second rate of progress of the second robotic device along the second time-parameterized path. The method then includes the first robotic device determining a difference between the first rate of progress and the second rate of progress, and modifying execution of the first time-parameterized path based on the determined difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20180178382
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first and second coordinated paths for first and second robotic devices. The first coordinated path comprises a dependency edge indicating a first position on the first coordinated path and a second position on the second coordinated path. The method also includes determining a first traversable portion extending to a first stopping position before or at the first position on the first coordinated path. The method also includes providing a first instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the first traversable portion; subsequently determining that the second robotic device has passed the second position on the second coordinated path; determining a second traversable portion of the first coordinated path extending to a second stopping position beyond the first position on the first coordinated path; and providing a second instruction to the first robotic device to traverse the second traversable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher
  • Publication number: 20180172450
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap representing a plurality of paths through an environment. The computing device can discretize the roadmap to obtain a discrete planning graph having a plurality of states corresponding to discretized segments of the plurality of paths of the roadmap such that states corresponding to adjacent discretized path segments are connected in the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a Boolean equation representing at least a portion of the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a sequence of states from the plurality of states of the discrete planning graph such that the determined sequence of states satisfies the Boolean equation. The computing device can provide a route through the environment for a robotic device based on the determined sequence of states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Geoffrey Lalonde, Peter Anderson-Sprecher