Patents by Inventor Ryan Fan

Ryan Fan 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: 20250347805
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques that involve detecting and mitigating automotive interference. Electromagnetic signals propagating in the environment can be received by a radar unit that limits the signals received to a particular angle of arrival with reception antennas that limit the signals received to a particular polarization. Filters can be applied to the signals to remove portions that are outside an expected time range and an expected frequency range that depend on radar signal transmission parameters used by the radar unit. In addition, a model representing an expected electromagnetic signal digital representation can be used to remove portions of the signals that are indicative of spikes and plateaus associated with signal interference. A computing device can then generate an environment representation that indicates positions of surfaces relative to the vehicle using the remaining portions of the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventor: Ryan Fan
  • Patent number: 12386064
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques that involve detecting and mitigating automotive interference. Electromagnetic signals propagating in the environment can be received by a radar unit that limits the signals received to a particular angle of arrival with reception antennas that limit the signals received to a particular polarization. Filters can be applied to the signals to remove portions that are outside an expected time range and an expected frequency range that depend on radar signal transmission parameters used by the radar unit. In addition, a model representing an expected electromagnetic signal digital representation can be used to remove portions of the signals that are indicative of spikes and plateaus associated with signal interference. A computing device can then generate an environment representation that indicates positions of surfaces relative to the vehicle using the remaining portions of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Fan
  • Publication number: 20250180699
    Abstract: An example method for using antenna array calibration to adjust radar unit operation involves receiving radar data from a radar unit coupled to a vehicle during vehicle operation in an environment, where the radar unit receives the radar data from the environment via an antenna array of the radar unit. The method also involves detecting an object in the environment based on the radar data, determining that the detected object satisfies a set of conditions, and, in response to the set of conditions being satisfied, estimating a first phase array offset for the antenna array. The method also involves comparing the first phase array offset with a second phase array offset that represents a prior calibration for the radar unit, and, based on a difference between the first and second phase array offsets exceeding a threshold difference, adjusting operation of the radar unit according to the first phase array offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Ryan Fan, Kenneth Ho
  • Patent number: 12241996
    Abstract: An example method for using antenna array calibration to adjust radar unit operation involves receiving radar data from a radar unit coupled to a vehicle during vehicle operation in an environment, where the radar unit receives the radar data from the environment via an antenna array of the radar unit. The method also involves detecting an object in the environment based on the radar data, determining that the detected object satisfies a set of conditions, and, in response to the set of conditions being satisfied, estimating a first phase array offset for the antenna array. The method also involves comparing the first phase array offset with a second phase array offset that represents a prior calibration for the radar unit, and, based on a difference between the first and second phase array offsets exceeding a threshold difference, adjusting operation of the radar unit according to the first phase array offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Fan, Kenneth Ho
  • Publication number: 20240329238
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques that involve detecting and mitigating automotive interference. Electromagnetic signals propagating in the environment can be received by a radar unit that limits the signals received to a particular angle of arrival with reception antennas that limit the signals received to a particular polarization. Filters can be applied to the signals to remove portions that are outside an expected time range and an expected frequency range that depend on radar signal transmission parameters used by the radar unit. In addition, a model representing an expected electromagnetic signal digital representation can be used to remove portions of the signals that are indicative of spikes and plateaus associated with signal interference. A computing device can then generate an environment representation that indicates positions of surfaces relative to the vehicle using the remaining portions of the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventor: Ryan Fan
  • Patent number: 12044775
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques that involve detecting and mitigating automotive interference. Electromagnetic signals propagating in the environment can be received by a radar unit that limits the signals received to a particular angle of arrival with reception antennas that limit the signals received to a particular polarization. Filters can be applied to the signals to remove portions that are outside an expected time range and an expected frequency range that depend on radar signal transmission parameters used by the radar unit. In addition, a model representing an expected electromagnetic signal digital representation can be used to remove portions of the signals that are indicative of spikes and plateaus associated with signal interference. A computing device can then generate an environment representation that indicates positions of surfaces relative to the vehicle using the remaining portions of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Fan
  • Publication number: 20220413129
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques that involve detecting and mitigating automotive interference. Electromagnetic signals propagating in the environment can be received by a radar unit that limits the signals received to a particular angle of arrival with reception antennas that limit the signals received to a particular polarization. Filters can be applied to the signals to remove portions that are outside an expected time range and an expected frequency range that depend on radar signal transmission parameters used by the radar unit. In addition, a model representing an expected electromagnetic signal digital representation can be used to remove portions of the signals that are indicative of spikes and plateaus associated with signal interference. A computing device can then generate an environment representation that indicates positions of surfaces relative to the vehicle using the remaining portions of the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Fan