Patents by Inventor Seth Michael Laforge

Seth Michael Laforge 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).

  • Patent number: 11880199
    Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining vehicle pose data for an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may receive pose data from multiple pose measurement systems of the autonomous vehicle. Each pose measurement system may include one or more corresponding sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may determine a pose data quality for the received pose data for each pose measurement system. The vehicle computer system may set the vehicle pose data to the pose data of the pose measurement system with the highest pose data quality. The vehicle computer system may control the autonomous vehicle based on the vehicle pose data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Seth Michael LaForge, Craig Lewin Robinson, John Tisdale, Russell Smith
  • Patent number: 10663969
    Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining vehicle pose data for an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may receive pose data from multiple pose measurement systems of the autonomous vehicle. Each pose measurement system may include one or more corresponding sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may determine a pose data quality for the received pose data for each pose measurement system. The vehicle computer system may set the vehicle pose data to the pose data of the pose measurement system with the highest pose data quality. The vehicle computer system may control the autonomous vehicle based on the vehicle pose data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Seth Michael LaForge, Craig Lewin Robinson, John Tisdale, Russell Smith
  • Publication number: 20200106318
    Abstract: One example device includes a rotor platform that rotates about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a ring magnet mounted to the rotor platform to provide a rotor-platform magnetic field. The device also includes a stator platform that includes a planar mounting surface. The device also includes a plurality of conductive structures disposed along the planar mounting surface. The conductive structures remain within a predetermined distance to the ring magnet in response to rotation of the rotor platform about the axis of rotation. The conductive structures are electrically coupled to define an electrically conductive path that at least partially overlaps the ring magnet. The device also includes circuitry that causes an electrical current to flow through the conductive path. The electrical current generates a stator-platform magnetic field that interacts with the rotor-platform magnetic field such that the rotor platform rotates about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Karplus, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20200082501
    Abstract: A map image is displayed via a user interface. A user selection of a location marker or one of a set of textual driving directions is received via the user interface. In response to the received user selection, an interactive information window overlaid within the map image is generated. Generating the interactive information window includes providing additional information regarding a location related to the marker or to the one of the set of textual driving directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jens E. Rasmussen, Lars E. Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Philip Gordon, Seth Michael Laforge
  • Patent number: 10530209
    Abstract: One example device includes a rotor platform that rotates about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a ring magnet mounted to the rotor platform to provide a rotor-platform magnetic field. The device also includes a stator platform that includes a planar mounting surface. The device also includes a plurality of conductive structures disposed along the planar mounting surface. The conductive structures remain within a predetermined distance to the ring magnet in response to rotation of the rotor platform about the axis of rotation. The conductive structures are electrically coupled to define an electrically conductive path that at least partially overlaps the ring magnet. The device also includes circuitry that causes an electrical current to flow through the conductive path. The electrical current generates a stator-platform magnetic field that interacts with the rotor-platform magnetic field such that the rotor platform rotates about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Paul Karplus, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Patent number: 10475157
    Abstract: A map image is displayed via a user interface. A user selection of a location marker or one of a set of textual driving directions is received via the user interface. In response to the received user selection, an interactive information window overlaid within the map image is generated. Generating the interactive information window includes providing additional information regarding a location related to the marker or to the one of the set of textual driving directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Jens E. Rasmussen, Lars E. Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Philip Gordon, Seth Michael Laforge
  • Publication number: 20190122335
    Abstract: A map image is displayed via a user interface. A user selection of a location marker or one of a set of textual driving directions is received via the user interface. In response to the received user selection, an interactive information window overlaid within the map image is generated. Generating the interactive information window includes providing additional information regarding a location related to the marker or to the one of the set of textual driving directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jens E. Rasmussen, Lars E. Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Philip Gordon, Seth Michael Laforge
  • Patent number: 10152770
    Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a display page includes displaying a map image; displaying at least one zoom control object overlaid on the map image using an image overlay technique to display the at least one zoom control object within the map image, thereby increasing an area within the display page available for the map image; and changing a manner in which the map image is displayed in response to receiving a selection of the at least one zoom control object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Jens E. Rasmussen, Lars E. Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Philip Gordon, Seth Michael Laforge
  • Patent number: 10108192
    Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining vehicle pose data for an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may receive pose data from multiple pose measurement systems of the autonomous vehicle. Each pose measurement system may include one or more corresponding sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may determine a pose data quality for the received pose data for each pose measurement system. The vehicle computer system may set the vehicle pose data to the pose data of the pose measurement system with the highest pose data quality. The vehicle computer system may control the autonomous vehicle based on the vehicle pose data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Seth Michael LaForge, Craig Lewin Robinson, John Tisdale, Russell Smith
  • Publication number: 20180123412
    Abstract: One example device includes a rotor platform that rotates about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a ring magnet mounted to the rotor platform to provide a rotor-platform magnetic field. The device also includes a stator platform that includes a planar mounting surface. The device also includes a plurality of conductive structures disposed along the planar mounting surface. The conductive structures remain within a predetermined distance to the ring magnet in response to rotation of the rotor platform about the axis of rotation. The conductive structures are electrically coupled to define an electrically conductive path that at least partially overlaps the ring magnet. The device also includes circuitry that causes an electrical current to flow through the conductive path. The electrical current generates a stator-platform magnetic field that interacts with the rotor-platform magnetic field such that the rotor platform rotates about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Karplus, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20180101933
    Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a display page includes displaying a map image; displaying at least one zoom control object overlaid on the map image using an image overlay technique to display the at least one zoom control object within the map image, thereby increasing an area within the display page available for the map image; and changing a manner in which the map image is displayed in response to receiving a selection of the at least one zoom control object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Jens E. Rasmussen, Lars E. Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Philip Gordon, Seth Michael Laforge
  • Patent number: 9915947
    Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining vehicle pose data for an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may receive pose data from multiple pose measurement systems of the autonomous vehicle. Each pose measurement system may include one or more corresponding sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may determine a pose data quality for the received pose data for each pose measurement system. The vehicle computer system may set the vehicle pose data to the pose data of the pose measurement system with the highest pose data quality. The vehicle computer system may control the autonomous vehicle based on the vehicle pose data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Seth Michael LaForge, Craig Lewin Robinson, John Tisdale, Russell Smith
  • Patent number: 9842380
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. Direction control or zoom control objects may be included as interactive overlays on the displayed map image. The displayed map image may also include route or location overlays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20120075337
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. Direction control or zoom control objects may be included as interactive overlays on the displayed map image. The displayed map image may also include route or location overlays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Patent number: 8014946
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20110137766
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Patent number: 7894984
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20100201707
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20080291205
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing aspects of a digital mapping system are disclosed. One such method includes sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and displaying the result as a map image. One apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes means for sending a location request from a client-side computing device to a map tile server, means for receiving a set of map tiles in response to the location request, means for assembling said received map tiles into a tile grid, means for aligning the tile grid relative to a clipping shape, and means for displaying the result as a map image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen, Lars Eilstrup Rasmussen, Bret Steven Taylor, James Christopher Norris, Stephen Ma, Andrew Robert Kirmse, Noel Phillip Gordon, Seth Michael LaForge
  • Publication number: 20080285802
    Abstract: Unauthorized entry into controlled access areas using tailgating or reverse entry methods is detected using machine vision methods. Camera images of the controlled area are processed to identify and track objects in the controlled area. In a preferred embodiment, this processing includes 3D surface analysis to distinguish and classify objects in the field of view. Feature extraction, color analysis, and pattern recognition may also be used for identification and tracking of objects. Integration with security monitoring and control systems provides notification when a tailgating or reverse entry event has occurred. More reliable operation in practical circumstances is thus obtained, such as when multiple people are using an entrance or exit under variable light and shadow conditions. Electronic access control systems may further be combined with the machine vision methods of the invention to more effectively prevent tailgating or reverse entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: NEWTON SECURITY, INC.
    Inventors: John W. Bramblet, Carl R. Witty, Seth Michael LaForge