The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 17, 2017
Filed:
May. 16, 2014
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Alan G. Bell, Los Altos, CA (US);
Alexander Tuganov, Redwood City, CA (US);
Patrick Y. Maeda, San Jose, CA (US);
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A computer-implemented system and method for detecting vehicle occupancy is provided. Light beam pulses emitted from a lidar system are applied to a passing vehicle. Scans of an object are generated from the light beam pulses. A signal is received from each of the beam pulses reflected at a point of reflection along a segment of the vehicle. A time is measured from when each beam pulse was emitted to receipt of the signal. A distance of the signal from the lidar system is calculated using the measured time. The points of reflection for that vehicle segment are positioned in relation to one another as a scan. The scans are compiled in a consecutive order according to the vehicle and a three-dimensional image of an interior of the vehicle is generated from the consecutive scans. A presence or absence of vehicle occupancy is determined based on the three-dimensional image.