Patents by Inventor Ryan Joseph Andrade
Ryan Joseph Andrade 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: 11912292Abstract: The technology relates to partially redundant equipment architectures for vehicles able to operate in an autonomous driving mode. Aspects of the technology employ fallback configurations, such as two or more fallback sensor configurations that provide some minimum amount of field of view (FOV) around the vehicle. For instance, different sensor arrangements are logically associated with different operating domains of the vehicle. Fallback configurations for computing resources and/or power resources are also provided. Each fallback configuration may have different reasons for being triggered, and may result in different types of fallback modes of operation. Triggering conditions may relate, e.g., to a type of failure, fault or other reduction in component capability, the current driving mode, environmental conditions in the vicinity of vehicle or along a planned route, or other factors.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Andreas Wendel, Michael James, Christian Lauterbach, Etai Bruhis, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Alexander Zbrozek, Pieter Kapsenberg, Zhuyuan Liu, Daniel Rosenband
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Patent number: 11878703Abstract: A method for determining a pullover spot for a vehicle is described. The method includes using a computing device to detect information related to a system of the vehicle or an environment surrounding the vehicle using a sensor of a vehicle and determine a local failure of the vehicle based on the information. The computing device may then be used to determine that the vehicle should pullover before completing a current trip related to transporting a passenger or good by comparing vehicle requirements for the trip with the local failure and determine a pullover spot by identifying a first area for the vehicle to park in part based on a second area being available for a second vehicle to pick up the passenger or good. The computing device may operate the vehicle to the pullover spot and transmit a request for a second vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade
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Publication number: 20230280748Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data. The system also includes a first computing system configured to generate trajectories using the sensor data and send the generated trajectories to a second computing system. The second computing system is configured to cause the vehicle to follow a receive trajectory. The system also includes a third computing system configured to, when there is a failure of the first computer system, generate and send trajectories to the second computing system based on whether a vehicle is located on a highway or a surface street.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Michael James, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Joshua Seth Herbach, Misha Balakhno, Andrew Barton-Sweeney
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Patent number: 11693405Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data. The system also includes a first computing system configured to generate trajectories using the sensor data and send the generated trajectories to a second computing system. The second computing system is configured to cause the vehicle to follow a receive trajectory. The system also includes a third computing system configured to, when there is a failure of the first computer system, generate and send trajectories to the second computing system based on whether a vehicle is located on a highway or a surface street.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Michael James, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Joshua Seth Herbach, Misha Balakhno, Andrew Barton-Sweeney
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Publication number: 20220153286Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for determining a pullover spot for a vehicle. The method includes using a computing device to detect information related to a system of the vehicle or an environment surrounding the vehicle using a sensor of a vehicle and determine a local failure of the vehicle based on the information. The computing device may then be used to determine that the vehicle should pullover before completing a current trip related to transporting a passenger or good by comparing vehicle requirements for the trip with the local failure and determine a pullover spot by identifying a first area for the vehicle to park in part based on a second area being available for a second vehicle to pick up the passenger or good. The computing device may operate the vehicle to the pullover spot and transmit a request for a second vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade
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Publication number: 20220080990Abstract: The technology relates to partially redundant equipment architectures for vehicles able to operate in an autonomous driving mode. Aspects of the technology employ fallback configurations, such as two or more fallback sensor configurations that provide some minimum amount of field of view (FOV) around the vehicle. For instance, different sensor arrangements are logically associated with different operating domains of the vehicle. Fallback configurations for computing resources and/or power resources are also provided. Each fallback configuration may have different reasons for being triggered, and may result in different types of fallback modes of operation. Triggering conditions may relate, e.g., to a type of failure, fault or other reduction in component capability, the current driving mode, environmental conditions in the vicinity of vehicle or along a planned route, or other factors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Andreas Wendel, Michael James, Christian Lauterbach, Etai Bruhis, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Alexander Zbrozek, Pieter Kapsenberg, Zhuyuan Liu, Daniel Rosenband
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Patent number: 11214272Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for determining a pullover spot for a vehicle. The method includes using a computing device to detect information related to a system of the vehicle or an environment surrounding the vehicle using a sensor of a vehicle and determine a local failure of the vehicle based on the information. The computing device may then be used to determine that the vehicle should pullover before completing a current trip related to transporting a passenger or good by comparing vehicle requirements for the trip with the local failure and determine a pullover spot by identifying a first area for the vehicle to park in part based on a second area being available for a second vehicle to pick up the passenger or good. The computing device may operate the vehicle to the pullover spot and transmit a request for a second vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade
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Patent number: 11208111Abstract: The technology relates to partially redundant equipment architectures for vehicles able to operate in an autonomous driving mode. Aspects of the technology employ fallback configurations, such as two or more fallback sensor configurations that provide some minimum amount of field of view (FOV) around the vehicle. For instance, different sensor arrangements are logically associated with different operating domains of the vehicle. Fallback configurations for computing resources and/or power resources are also provided. Each fallback configuration may have different reasons for being triggered, and may result in different types of fallback modes of operation. Triggering conditions may relate, e.g., to a type of failure, fault or other reduction in component capability, the current driving mode, environmental conditions in the vicinity of vehicle or along a planned route, or other factors.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Andreas Wendel, Michael James, Christian Lauterbach, Etai Bruhis, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Alexander Zbrozek, Pieter Kapsenberg, Zhuyuan Liu, Daniel Rosenband
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Patent number: 11062537Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining vehicle operation modes for a fleet of vehicles. This may include maintaining a storage system including vehicle parameters for a vehicle fleet such that each vehicle of the fleet is associated with a set of vehicle parameters. The vehicle operation mode may be determined by selecting one of a plurality of vehicle operation levels arranged in a hierarchy or by identifying a set of tags where each level or tag corresponds to a vehicle driving capability. The determined vehicle operation mode may be communicated to the given vehicle in order to cause the vehicle to operate according to the determined vehicle operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Ryan Joseph Andrade, Ryan Cash, Peter Colijn, Laurens Andreas Feenstra, Congyu Gao, Dirk Haehnel, Steven Reis, Omari Stephens
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Publication number: 20210048816Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data. The system also includes a first computing system configured to generate trajectories using the sensor data and send the generated trajectories to a second computing system. The second computing system is configured to cause the vehicle to follow a receive trajectory. The system also includes a third computing system configured to, when there is a failure of the first computer system, generate and send trajectories to the second computing system based on whether a vehicle is located on a highway or a surface street.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Michael James, loan-Alexandru Sucan, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Joshua Seth Herbach, Misha Balakhno, Andrew Barton-Sweeney
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Patent number: 10838417Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data. The system also includes a first computing system configured to generate trajectories using the sensor data and send the generated trajectories to a second computing system. The second computing system is configured to cause the vehicle to follow a receive trajectory. The system also includes a third computing system configured to, when there is a failure of the first computer system, generate and send trajectories to the second computing system based on whether a vehicle is located on a highway or a surface street.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Michael James, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Joshua Seth Herbach, Misha Balakhno, Andrew Barton-Sweeney
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Publication number: 20200180653Abstract: The technology relates to partially redundant equipment architectures for vehicles able to operate in an autonomous driving mode. Aspects of the technology employ fallback configurations, such as two or more fallback sensor configurations that provide some minimum amount of field of view (FOV) around the vehicle. For instance, different sensor arrangements are logically associated with different operating domains of the vehicle. Fallback configurations for computing resources and/or power resources are also provided. Each fallback configuration may have different reasons for being triggered, and may result in different types of fallback modes of operation. Triggering conditions may relate, e.g., to a type of failure, fault or other reduction in component capability, the current driving mode, environmental conditions in the vicinity of vehicle or along a planned route, or other factors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Andreas Wendel, Michael James, Christian Lauterbach, Etai Bruhis, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Alexander Zbrozek, Pieter Kapsenberg, Zhuyuan Liu, Daniel Rosenband
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Publication number: 20200142403Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data. The system also includes a first computing system configured to generate trajectories using the sensor data and send the generated trajectories to a second computing system. The second computing system is configured to cause the vehicle to follow a receive trajectory. The system also includes a third computing system configured to, when there is a failure of the first computer system, generate and send trajectories to the second computing system based on whether a vehicle is located on a highway or a surface street.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade, Michael James, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan, Christopher Kennedy Ludwick, Joshua Seth Herbach, Misha Balakhno, Andrew Barton-Sweeney
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Publication number: 20200094850Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for determining a pullover spot for a vehicle. The method includes using a computing device to detect information related to a system of the vehicle or an environment surrounding the vehicle using a sensor of a vehicle and determine a local failure of the vehicle based on the information. The computing device may then be used to determine that the vehicle should pullover before completing a current trip related to transporting a passenger or good by comparing vehicle requirements for the trip with the local failure and determine a pullover spot by identifying a first area for the vehicle to park in part based on a second area being available for a second vehicle to pick up the passenger or good. The computing device may operate the vehicle to the pullover spot and transmit a request for a second vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Emily Chi, Ryan Joseph Andrade
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Publication number: 20190266815Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining vehicle operation modes for a fleet of vehicles. This may include maintaining a storage system including vehicle parameters for a vehicle fleet such that each vehicle of the fleet is associated with a set of vehicle parameters. The vehicle operation mode may be determined by selecting one of a plurality of vehicle operation levels arranged in a hierarchy or by identifying a set of tags where each level or tag corresponds to a vehicle driving capability. The determined vehicle operation mode may be communicated to the given vehicle in order to cause the vehicle to operate according to the determined vehicle operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Ryan Joseph Andrade, Ryan Cash, Peter Colijn, Laurens Andreas Feenstra, Congyu Gao, Dirk Haehnel, Steven Reis, Omari Stephens
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Patent number: 9214778Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to a connector including a housing with a severing device and a pair of wire taps built into the housing. For example, the severing device may sever the electrical connection along one or more wires placed inside the connector. The pair of wire taps may patch into the severed ends of the wires, intercepting any signal transmitted through the wires, and patching any signal transmitted along the wire tap into the severed wires. The wire taps may further be connected to an intermediate device, placing the intermediate device in series with the ends of the severed wire. The connector may also include a switching device between the first and second wire taps. When the switching device is closed, the switching device may directly connect the wire taps, shorting out the intermediate device and effectively reestablishing the direct electrical connection between the severed wire ends.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel Lynn Larner, Ryan Joseph Andrade
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Patent number: 8585430Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to a connector including a housing with a severing device and a pair of wire taps built into the housing. For example, the severing device may sever the electrical connection along one or more wires placed inside the connector. The pair of wire taps may patch into the severed ends of the wires, intercepting any signal transmitted through the wires, and patching any signal transmitted along the wire tap into the severed wires. The wire taps may further be connected to an intermediate device, placing the intermediate device in series with the ends of the severed wire. The connector may also include a switching device between the first and second wire taps. When the switching device is closed, the switching device may directly connect the wire taps, shorting out the intermediate device and effectively reestablishing the direct electrical connection between the severed wire ends.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel Lynn Larner, Ryan Joseph Andrade