Patents by Inventor Richard Brian Donnelly
Richard Brian Donnelly 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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Patent number: 11953901Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes one or more sensors for detecting an object in an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle and a vehicle computing system comprising one or more processors receiving canonical route data associated with at least one canonical route, and controlling travel of the autonomous vehicle based on sensor data from the one or more sensors and the canonical route data associated with the at least one canonical route. The at least one canonical route comprises at least one roadway connected with another roadway in a plurality of roadways in a geographic location that satisfies at least one route optimization function derived based on trip data associated with one or more traversals of the plurality of roadways in a geographic location by one or more autonomous vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Andrew Raymond Sturges, Alexander Edward Chao, Yifang Liu, Xiaodong Zhang, Richard Brian Donnelly, Bryan John Nagy, Jeff Schneider, Collin Christopher Otis
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Publication number: 20240061438Abstract: An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Patent number: 11841709Abstract: An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Patent number: 11835952Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an autonomous vehicle service are provided. A method can include obtaining data indicative of a service associated with a user, and obtaining data indicative of a transportation of an autonomous robot. The method can include determining one or more service configurations for the service. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a selected service configuration from among the one or more service configurations, and determining a service assignment for an autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the selected service configuration. The service assignment can indicate that the autonomous vehicle is to transport the user from the service-start location to the service-end location. The method can include communicating data indicative of the service assignment to the autonomous vehicle to perform the service.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Patent number: 11820246Abstract: Vehicle control systems can include one or more location sensors, an energy storage device, one or more charge sensors and one or more vehicle computing devices. The location sensor(s) can determine a current location of a vehicle, while the charge sensor(s) can determine a current state of charge of an energy storage device that can be located onboard the vehicle to provide operating power for one or more vehicle systems. The vehicle computing device(s) can communicate the current location of the vehicle and current state of charge of the energy storage device to a remote computing device, receive from the remote computing device a charging control signal determined, at least in part, from the current location of the vehicle and the current state of charge of the energy storage device, and control charging of the energy storage device in accordance with the charging control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Sean Jeffrey Kelly, Justin Wayne Ho, James Lee Epifano
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Publication number: 20230333555Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to matching an available vehicle to a rider requesting a service. In one example, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, a service request from a rider. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, data indicative of a current location of the rider; and determining that the current location of the rider is within proximity of an autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes providing, by the computing system, data to the rider to provide for selection of an available autonomous vehicle at the autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, rider authentication data upon a selection of an autonomous vehicle by the rider; and, in response to obtaining rider authentication data, matching an autonomous vehicle selected by the rider to provide for performance of the service request.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Eric J. Hanson, Richard Brian Donnelly, Dennis Zhao
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Patent number: 11747808Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to matching an available vehicle to a rider requesting a service. In one example, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, a service request from a rider. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, data indicative of a current location of the rider; and determining that the current location of the rider is within proximity of an autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes providing, by the computing system, data to the rider to provide for selection of an available autonomous vehicle at the autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, rider authentication data upon a selection of an autonomous vehicle by the rider; and, in response to obtaining rider authentication data, matching an autonomous vehicle selected by the rider to provide for performance of the service request.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Eric J. Hanson, Richard Brian Donnelly, Dennis Zhao
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Patent number: 11599123Abstract: Systems and methods for determining autonomous vehicle user boarding times are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining location data associated with a user device associated with a user. The method includes determining an estimated time until the user starts boarding the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the location data associated with the user device. The method includes obtaining data associated with the user. The method includes determining an estimated time of boarding duration for the user based at least in part on the data associated with the user. The method includes determining an estimated time until the user completes boarding of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the estimated time until the user starts boarding the autonomous vehicle and the estimated time of boarding duration for the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Michael Aitken
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Publication number: 20220269270Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an autonomous vehicle service are provided. A method can include obtaining data indicative of a service associated with a user, and obtaining data indicative of a transportation of an autonomous robot. The method can include determining one or more service configurations for the service. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a selected service configuration from among the one or more service configurations, and determining a service assignment for an autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the selected service configuration. The service assignment can indicate that the autonomous vehicle is to transport the user from the service-start location to the service-end location. The method can include communicating data indicative of the service assignment to the autonomous vehicle to perform the service.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Publication number: 20220236738Abstract: An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Patent number: 11385657Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling autonomous vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining data indicative of a location associated with a user to which an autonomous vehicle is to travel. The autonomous vehicle is to travel along a first vehicle route that leads to the location. The method includes obtaining traffic data associated with a geographic area that includes the location. The method includes determining an estimated traffic impact of the autonomous vehicle on the geographic area based at least in part on the traffic data. The method includes determining vehicle action(s) based at least in part on the estimated traffic impact and causing the autonomous vehicle to perform the vehicle action(s) that include at least one of stopping the autonomous vehicle at least partially in a travel way within a vicinity of the location or travelling along a second vehicle route.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Michael Aitken
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Patent number: 11340625Abstract: An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Publication number: 20220105819Abstract: Vehicle control systems can include one or more location sensors, an energy storage device, one or more charge sensors and one or more vehicle computing devices. The location sensor(s) can determine a current location of a vehicle, while the charge sensor(s) can determine a current state of charge of an energy storage device that can be located onboard the vehicle to provide operating power for one or more vehicle systems. The vehicle computing device(s) can communicate the current location of the vehicle and current state of charge of the energy storage device to a remote computing device, receive from the remote computing device a charging control signal determined, at least in part, from the current location of the vehicle and the current state of charge of the energy storage device, and control charging of the energy storage device in accordance with the charging control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Sean Jeffrey Kelly, Justin Wayne Ho, James Lee Epifano
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Patent number: 11281216Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an autonomous vehicle service are provided. A method can include obtaining data indicative of a service associated with a user, and obtaining data indicative of a transportation of an autonomous robot. The method can include determining one or more service configurations for the service. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a selected service configuration from among the one or more service configurations, and determining a service assignment for an autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the selected service configuration. The service assignment can indicate that the autonomous vehicle is to transport the user from the service-start location to the service-end location. The method can include communicating data indicative of the service assignment to the autonomous vehicle to perform the service.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Richard Brian Donnelly
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Patent number: 11195353Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to communicating autonomous-vehicle status. In particular, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure can: determine one or more maintenance statuses of one or more of multiple different systems of an autonomous vehicle; and depict at least one of the status(es) via a display device affixed to an exterior of the autonomous vehicle and configured to display information associated with the multiple different systems such that the information is visible to an observer located outside the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Eric James Hanson, Philipp Haban, Richard Brian Donnelly, David Patrick Rice, Thomas Jeffery Watson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210365042Abstract: Systems and methods for determining autonomous vehicle user boarding times are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining location data associated with a user device associated with a user. The method includes determining an estimated time until the user starts boarding the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the location data associated with the user device. The method includes obtaining data associated with the user. The method includes determining an estimated time of boarding duration for the user based at least in part on the data associated with the user. The method includes determining an estimated time until the user completes boarding of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the estimated time until the user starts boarding the autonomous vehicle and the estimated time of boarding duration for the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Michael Aitken
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Patent number: 11148542Abstract: Vehicle control systems can include one or more location sensors, an energy storage device, one or more charge sensors and one or more vehicle computing devices. The location sensor(s) can determine a current location of a vehicle, while the charge sensor(s) can determine a current state of charge of an energy storage device that can be located onboard the vehicle to provide operating power for one or more vehicle systems. The vehicle computing device(s) can communicate the current location of the vehicle and current state of charge of the energy storage device to a remote computing device, receive from the remote computing device a charging control signal determined, at least in part, from the current location of the vehicle and the current state of charge of the energy storage device, and control charging of the energy storage device in accordance with the charging control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Sean Jeffrey Kelly, Justin Wayne Ho, James Lee Epifano
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Patent number: 11124080Abstract: Vehicle control systems can include one or more location sensors, an energy storage device, one or more charge sensors and one or more vehicle computing devices. The location sensor(s) can determine a current location of a vehicle, while the charge sensor(s) can determine a current state of charge of an energy storage device that can be located onboard the vehicle to provide operating power for one or more vehicle systems. The vehicle computing device(s) can communicate the current location of the vehicle and current state of charge of the energy storage device to a remote computing device, receive from the remote computing device a charging control signal determined, at least in part, from the current location of the vehicle and the current state of charge of the energy storage device, and control charging of the energy storage device in accordance with the charging control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Sean Jeffrey Kelly, Justin Wayne Ho, James Lee Epifano
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Publication number: 20210200217Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to matching an available vehicle to a rider requesting a service. In one example, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, a service request from a rider. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, data indicative of a current location of the rider; and determining that the current location of the rider is within proximity of an autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes providing, by the computing system, data to the rider to provide for selection of an available autonomous vehicle at the autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, rider authentication data upon a selection of an autonomous vehicle by the rider; and, in response to obtaining rider authentication data, matching an autonomous vehicle selected by the rider to provide for performance of the service request.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Molly Castle Nix, Sean Chin, Eric J. Hanson, Richard Brian Donnelly, Dennis Zhao
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Patent number: 11029703Abstract: Systems and methods for determining autonomous vehicle user boarding times are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining location data associated with a user device associated with a user. The method includes determining an estimated time until the user starts boarding the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the location data associated with the user device. The method includes obtaining data associated with the user. The method includes determining an estimated time of boarding duration for the user based at least in part on the data associated with the user. The method includes determining an estimated time until the user completes boarding of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the estimated time until the user starts boarding the autonomous vehicle and the estimated time of boarding duration for the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Brian Donnelly, Michael Aitken