Patents by Inventor Robert Lau
Robert Lau 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: 20240159409Abstract: An occupancy fan control method to detect a Heating, Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) fan is operating based on a fan-on duration control selected by a user and after a fan-on time delay selected by the user, providing at least one fan-on alarm message prior to overriding the fan-on duration control. The method further comprises monitoring an occupancy sensor signal to determine an occupancy in a conditioned space served by an HVAC system and after the fan-on time delay selected by the user, automatically overriding the fan-on duration control to save energy when the conditioned space is unoccupied. The overriding may comprise operating the HVAC fan based only on a thermostat call for cooling or heating, operating the HVAC fan for a non-zero time less time than the fan-on duration control, or operating the HVAC fan for a non-zero frequency less than the fan-on duration control.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2024Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Robert J. Mowris, James Lau
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Patent number: 11926371Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
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Publication number: 20230331255Abstract: Each of a plurality of landing pads is sized and shaped to accommodate an AV. Landing pad sensor(s) are located in or around each landing pad. A control subsystem receives landing pad sensor data from the one or more landing pad sensors and receives, from a first AV traveling to a location of the plurality of landing pads, a request for an assigned landing pad in which the first AV should park. In response to this request, the control subsystem determines, based on the received landing pad sensor data, whether a first landing pad is free of obstructions that would prevent receipt of the first AV. If the first landing pad is free of obstructions, an indication is provided to the AV that the first landing pad is the assigned landing pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Patent number: 11718319Abstract: Each of a plurality of landing pads is sized and shaped to accommodate an AV. Landing pad sensor(s) are located in or around each landing pad. A control subsystem receives landing pad sensor data from the one or more landing pad sensors and receives, from a first AV traveling to a location of the plurality of landing pads, a request for an assigned landing pad in which the first AV should park. In response to this request, the control subsystem determines, based on the received landing pad sensor data, whether a first landing pad is free of obstructions that would prevent receipt of the first AV. If the first landing pad is free of obstructions, an indication is provided to the AV that the first landing pad is the assigned landing pad.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Publication number: 20230192105Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Robert Patrick BROWN, Jason Robert LAU
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Patent number: 11613381Abstract: A launchpad is sized and shaped to accommodate an autonomous vehicle (AV) that includes at least one vehicle sensor. The launchpad includes one or more launchpad sensors located on or around the launchpad. A control subsystem receives launchpad sensor data from the launchpad sensor(s) and AV sensor data from the vehicle sensor(s). In response to the request for departure of the AV, the control subsystem determines, based at least in part upon the launchpad sensor data, whether the launchpad is free of obstructions that would prevent departure from the launchpad and determines, based at least in part upon the AV sensor data, whether the region in front of the AV is clear of obstructions that would prevent movement away from the launchpad. If both the launchpad and the region in front of the AV are free of obstructions, the AV is permitted to begin driving autonomously.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Publication number: 20230083702Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of manufacture, apparatus, and fixtures. An apparatus comprising an inner liner having a hollow chamber extending the length of the inner liner, at least two guide rings disposed collectively along the inner liner, and at least one lumen portion extending through each of the at least two guide rings and being parallel with the hollow chamber, wherein the at least two components are fixed by welding is provided. Further provided is a fixture and a method of manufacture.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Nathaniel Robert Lau, Showna Chang, Takahisa Kato, Joel C. Johnson, Terry Speed
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Patent number: 11603108Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.Inventors: Robert Patrick Brown, Jason Robert Lau
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Patent number: 11380109Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes at least one vehicle sensor that is configured, when the AV is stopped, to observe at least a first portion of a zone around the stopped AV. A portable device is operated by a user near the stopped AV. A control subsystem receives a communication from the portable device that includes information regarding whether a second portion of the zone around the AV is free of obstructions. The control subsystem receives AV sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor. The control subsystem determines whether the first portion of the zone free of obstructions and whether the second portion of the zone is free of obstructions. If that both the first and second portions of the zone around the stopped AV are free of obstructions, the stopped AV is allowed to begin moving.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Publication number: 20220080985Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Robert Patrick BROWN, Jason Robert LAU
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Publication number: 20220055405Abstract: Techniques are described for determining whether snow chains are permitted to be used and to deploy snow chains based on traffic signs, weather conditions, and/or road conditions. An example method of autonomous driving operation includes performing a first determination, by a computer located in an autonomous vehicle, whether a use of snow chains is permitted based at least on a location where the autonomous vehicle is operating, performing a second determination that snow chains are required for driving the autonomous vehicle on a road, and sending, in response to the first determination indicating that the use of snow chains is permitted and in response to the second determination, instruction to snow chain devices located on the autonomous vehicle, where the instruction triggers the snow chain devices to deploy snow chains on tires of the autonomous vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Jason Robert LAU, Robert Patrick BROWN
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Publication number: 20220048537Abstract: Each of a plurality of landing pads is sized and shaped to accommodate an AV. Landing pad sensor(s) are located in or around each landing pad. A control subsystem receives landing pad sensor data from the one or more landing pad sensors and receives, from a first AV traveling to a location of the plurality of landing pads, a request for an assigned landing pad in which the first AV should park. In response to this request, the control subsystem determines, based on the received landing pad sensor data, whether a first landing pad is free of obstructions that would prevent receipt of the first AV. If the first landing pad is free of obstructions, an indication is provided to the AV that the first landing pad is the assigned landing pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Publication number: 20220051033Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes at least one vehicle sensor that is configured, when the AV is stopped, to observe at least a first portion of a zone around the stopped AV. A portable device is operated by a user near the stopped AV. A control subsystem receives a communication from the portable device that includes information regarding whether a second portion of the zone around the AV is free of obstructions. The control subsystem receives AV sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor. The control subsystem determines whether the first portion of the zone free of obstructions and whether the second portion of the zone is free of obstructions. If that both the first and second portions of the zone around the stopped AV are free of obstructions, the stopped AV is allowed to begin moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Publication number: 20220048643Abstract: A launchpad is sized and shaped to accommodate an autonomous vehicle (AV) that includes at least one vehicle sensor. The launchpad includes one or more launchpad sensors located on or around the launchpad. A control subsystem receives launchpad sensor data from the launchpad sensor(s) and AV sensor data from the vehicle sensor(s). In response to the request for departure of the AV, the control subsystem determines, based at least in part upon the launchpad sensor data, whether the launchpad is free of obstructions that would prevent departure from the launchpad and determines, based at least in part upon the AV sensor data, whether the region in front of the AV is clear of obstructions that would prevent movement away from the launchpad. If both the launchpad and the region in front of the AV are free of obstructions, the AV is permitted to begin driving autonomously.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Jason Robert Lau, Leon Moore White, III
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Publication number: 20190038224Abstract: Wearable devices having pressure activated biometric monitoring systems and related methods are disclosed. An example wearable device includes a housing including a biometric sensor to detect physiological information of a user. The wearable device includes a circuit to electrically couple the biometric sensor and a power source of the wearable device. A spring contact is positioned adjacent the biometric sensor and is to be oriented toward a user. The spring contact is movably coupled relative to the housing. The spring contact is to close the circuit to activate the biometric sensor when the wearable device is strapped to the user and the spring contact engages the user. The spring contact is to open the circuit to deactivate the biometric sensor when the wearable device is removed from the user to reduce energy drain of the power source by the biometric sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Zhaonian Zhang, Robert Lau
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Patent number: 9974235Abstract: A device for harvesting mushrooms from a mushroom bed involves a robotic arm configured to interchangeably deploy one of a plurality of different suction grippers, each of the suction grippers having a suction cup having a size and shape profile appropriate for gripping a cap of a mushroom, the cap having a size and shape profile within a predetermined range. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction gripper supplies negative air pressure to the suction gripper for retaining a cap of the mushroom to be harvested in the suction cup. A control circuit in electronic communication with the suction gripper and the vacuum source is configured to automatically adjust the negative air pressure in the suction gripper in response to harvesting requirements during a mushroom harvesting process.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Inventors: John Van De Vegte, John Renfrew, Matthew Jandrisits, Robert Lau
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Publication number: 20170265392Abstract: A device for harvesting mushrooms from a mushroom bed involves a robotic aim configured to interchangeably deploy one of a plurality of different suction grippers, each of the suction grippers having a suction cup having a size and shape profile appropriate for gripping a cap of a mushroom, the cap having a size and shape profile within a predetermined range. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction gripper supplies negative air pressure to the suction gripper for retaining a cap of the mushroom to be harvested in the suction cup. A control circuit in electronic communication with the suction gripper and the vacuum source is configured to automatically adjust the negative air pressure in the suction gripper in response to harvesting requirements during a mushroom harvesting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: John VAN DE VEGTE, John RENFREW, Matthew JANDRISITS, Robert LAU
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Patent number: 7780386Abstract: A coupling mechanism is provided. The coupling mechanism includes a bushing assembly adapted to establish a coupling when rotated, a housing that is rotatable when torque is applied to the housing, a torque-limit member positioned between the housing and the bushing assembly such that when the torque-limit member is in a positive-lock state, the housing and bushing assembly rotate jointly upon the application of torque until a predefined torque level is attained. A compressible member is included that engages the torque-limit member to define through frictional resistance of moving parts and parts geometry a predefined torque level. The torque-limit member switches from the positive-lock state to a ratchet state when the predefined torque level is attained. When the torque-limit member is in the ratchet state, the housing rotates relative to the bushing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Inventors: Michael Robert Lau, Eric Michel De Wild
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Publication number: 20090066598Abstract: A modular waveguide feed horn is provided that includes an assembly having a waveguide plate section. The modular waveguide feed horn assembly also includes a feed horn section having at least one feed horn. The feed horn section is separately provided from and removably coupled to the waveguide plate section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Charles Randall Malstrom, Michael Frederick Laub, Michael Robert Lau, Samuel Hiburn Ahrendes, Eric Franklin Richardson, John W. McGuire
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Patent number: D330986Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1990Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Assignee: Robinhood Industries Pty LimitedInventor: Robert Lau