Patents by Inventor Ralph Hamilton
Ralph Hamilton 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).
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Publication number: 20240249651Abstract: This technology relates to a display mounted messaging system. The display mounted messaging system may include a light emitting diode (LED) display attached to a housing of a sensor. The housing of the sensor may rotate. The display mounted messaging system may also include an LED controller which is configured to selectively activate and deactivate at least one LED in the LED display, to provide a message in the direction of an intended recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2024Publication date: July 25, 2024Inventors: Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, Simon Verghese
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Publication number: 20240094360Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, systems and methods of optical sensing for pixel multiplexing and polarized beam steering. Described, among other things, is a system that includes a light source configured to generate a light and one or more optical devices, integrated on a photonic integrated circuit, configured to impart modulation to the generated light and deliver the modulated light to an interface coupling device. The interface coupling device can include a plurality of interface couplers (ICs), each IC configured to scatter the modulated light in a direction that makes at least 5 degrees with an optical axis of lens configured to transmit the light scattered by each IC along a respective direction of a plurality of directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Alexander Yukio Piggott, Jason Watson, Lin Liu, Blaise Laurent Patrick Gassend, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11922829Abstract: This technology relates to a display mounted messaging system. The display mounted messaging system may include a light emitting diode (LED) display attached to a housing of a sensor. The housing of the sensor may rotate. The display mounted messaging system may also include an LED controller which is configured to selectively activate and deactivate at least one LED in the LED display, to provide a message in the direction of an intended recipient.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, Simon Verghese
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Publication number: 20240036196Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11867808Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20230417880Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Publication number: 20230408651Abstract: Example embodiments relate to spinning lidars utilizing one or more secondary mirrors. An example embodiment includes a lidar system that includes a rotatable portion. The rotatable portion includes one or more light sources and one or more one or more detectors. The rotatable portion is configured to rotate about a rotational axis such that the one or more light sources are operable to emit light within an azimuthal 360 degree field of view. The 360 degree field of view comprises a primary field of view that is less than 360 degrees. The lidar system also includes at least one secondary mirror configured to reflect light initially emitted by the one or more light sources in a direction away from the primary field of view so as to redirect the light into a secondary field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Blaise Gassend
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Patent number: 11802942Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Nathaniel Golshan
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Patent number: 11752976Abstract: The disclosure relates to detecting and clearing debris from a sensor window. For instance, a system may include the sensor window and one or more processors. The sensor window may include a transparent thin film conductor. The one or more processors may be configured to identify a change in capacitance using the transparent thin film conductor, detect debris on the sensor window using the change in capacitance, and activate a cleaning system in order to clear the detected debris from the sensor window.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20230280450Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11731493Abstract: A monitoring system and method are configured to detect a status of a door for a component on a vehicle. The monitoring system includes a sound sensor positioned within an auditory range of the door. The sound sensor detects sound energy generated in relation to a closed position of the door and an open position of the door. The sound sensor outputs a sound signal indicative of the sound energy. A monitoring control unit is in communication with the sound sensor. The monitoring control unit receives the sound signal and analyzes the sound signal to determine the status of the door.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Eric Lee Nicks, James Ralph Hamilton
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Patent number: 11686823Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene. The lens focuses light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material that defines an aperture. The system also includes a waveguide having a first side that receives light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. The waveguide guides the received light toward a second side of the waveguide opposite to the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the reflected light propagating out of the third side.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Publication number: 20230135500Abstract: Methods of manufacture, devices, and systems are described for a nasal swab. The swab includes an elongated body having a distal end. The swab includes a collection layer proximate to the distal end of the elongated body. The collection layer has a first geometric layout and configured to collect samples in the nasal passageway. The swab includes a collection tip at the distal end of the elongated body, the collection tip having a second geometric layout and configured to collect samples in the nasal passageway. The first geometric layout is different from the second geometric layout.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Yuman Fong, Colin Andrew Cook, Thomas J Gernon, Stanley Ralph Hamilton, Marylin Roque, Kevin Alexander Proudfoot, Sophie Yu, Natalie Krieger, Vivian Ho Lam, Kaitlyn Paulsen, Kaushal Gokli, Leila Wiberg, Tristan Aniken Huang, Vadim Peter Mathys
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Publication number: 20230055071Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11561284Abstract: One example system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene and configured to focus light from the scene. The system also includes an opaque material. The opaque material defines a plurality of apertures including a primary aperture and one or more secondary apertures. The system also includes one or more light detectors (e.g., a single element detector or an array of detectors) configured to intercept and detect diverging light focused by the lens and transmitted through at least one of the plurality of apertures defined by the opaque material.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2018Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Blaise Gassend, Pierre-Yves Droz
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Patent number: 11520044Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, David Neil Hutchison, James Dunphy, Nathaniel Golshan, Ralph Hamilton Shepard
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Patent number: 11392124Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of calibrating a vehicle's plurality of detection systems. To calibrate a first detection system, orientation data is collected using the first detection device when the vehicle faces a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. To calibrate a second detection system, data is collected using the second detection device while the vehicle moves in a repeatable pattern near a first object. To calibrate a third detection system, light reflected off a second object is detected using the third detection system as the vehicle is moved towards the second object. To calibrate a fourth detection system, data collected using the second detection system and the fourth detection system is compared. To calibrate a fifth detection system, radar signals reflected off a third object is received using the fifth detection system while the vehicle moves relative to the third object.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Colin Braley, Dorel Ionut Iordache, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Caner Onal, Pierre-Yves Droz
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Publication number: 20220130291Abstract: This technology relates to a display mounted messaging system. The display mounted messaging system may include a light emitting diode (LED) display attached to a housing of a sensor. The housing of the sensor may rotate. The display mounted messaging system may also include an LED controller which is configured to selectively activate and deactivate at least one LED in the LED display, to provide a message in the direction of an intended recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, Simon Verghese
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Patent number: 11222556Abstract: This technology relates to a display mounted messaging system. The display mounted messaging system may include a light emitting diode (LED) display attached to a housing of a sensor. The housing of the sensor may rotate. The display mounted messaging system may also include an LED controller which is configured to selectively activate and deactivate at least one LED in the LED display, to provide a message in the direction of an intended recipient.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Ralph Hamilton Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, Simon Verghese
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Patent number: D1022746Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Gordon Duff, Blaise Gassend, Ryan Davis, Ralph Hamilton Shepard, John Massey, Pierre-Yves Droz