{
  "patent_number": "US 12231783",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Autonomous Vehicles Use Different Camera Lenses for Better Vision",
  "original_title": "Sensor layout for autonomous vehicles",
  "summary": "This patent describes a specific arrangement of cameras for self-driving vehicles, using multiple forward-facing cameras with different focal lengths and a pair of backward-facing cameras with identical focal lengths to achieve comprehensive vision.",
  "what_it_does": "This system provides an autonomous vehicle with an optimized camera setup for seeing its surroundings. It includes several cameras facing forward, each designed with a different focal length to capture objects at various distances, like a 6 mm lens for wide views, a 12 mm lens for mid-range, and a 25 mm lens for far-off objects (Claim 3). The vehicle also has two cameras facing backward, both sharing the same focal length (Claim 1). One of the forward-facing cameras is designed to have the same focal length as these backward cameras. Optionally, the system can also include cameras on the left and right sides of the vehicle (Claim 7), along with LiDAR and RADAR sensors to measure distances and detect objects (Claims 8-9). This combination aims to provide a full 360-degree view around the vehicle (Claim 6).",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover autonomous vehicle camera systems that use only one forward-facing camera.",
    "Does not cover systems where all forward-facing cameras have the exact same focal length.",
    "Does not cover systems where the two backward-facing cameras have different focal lengths.",
    "Does not require the inclusion of LiDAR or RADAR sensors, as these are listed as optional additions in the claims.",
    "Does not cover systems where none of the forward-facing cameras share a focal length with the backward-facing cameras, as Claim 1 specifies one forward camera must match."
  ],
  "filed": "2023-08-03",
  "granted": "2025-02-18",
  "expires": "2043-08-03",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Tusimple",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/tusimple",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Lei Nie",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/lei-nie"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "software",
    "consumer_electronics",
    "telecommunications",
    "ai_ml"
  ],
  "abstract": "Disclosed are devices and systems for an optimized sensor layout for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. In one aspect, the system includes a vehicle capable of semi-autonomous or autonomous operation. A plurality of forward-facing cameras is coupled to the vehicle and configured to have a field of view in front of the vehicle. At least three forward-facing cameras of the plurality of forward-facing cameras have different focal lengths. A right-side camera is coupled to the right side of the vehicle, the right-side camera configured to have a field of view to the right of the vehicle. A left-side camera is coupled to the left side of the vehicle, the left-side camera is configured to have a field of view to the left of the vehicle.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12231783/sensor-layout-for-autonomous-vehicles",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12231783/sensor-layout-for-autonomous-vehicles/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12231783",
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}