Patents Examined by Ellis B. Ramirez
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Patent number: 11970187Abstract: Embodiments may relate to a vehicle comprising: a sensor to identify, based on an audio or visual condition, the occurrence of a condition related to a passenger of the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a processor coupled with the sensor. The processor may be configured to identify, in a user profile of the first passenger of the vehicle, a pre-identified action. The processor may further be configured to perform, or facilitate the performance of, the pre-identified action by the vehicle based on the occurrence of the audio or visual condition. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLCInventors: Katherine Mary Stumpf, Andrew David Acosta, Reed Townsend Jones, Omid Farivar
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Patent number: 11953901Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes one or more sensors for detecting an object in an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle and a vehicle computing system comprising one or more processors receiving canonical route data associated with at least one canonical route, and controlling travel of the autonomous vehicle based on sensor data from the one or more sensors and the canonical route data associated with the at least one canonical route. The at least one canonical route comprises at least one roadway connected with another roadway in a plurality of roadways in a geographic location that satisfies at least one route optimization function derived based on trip data associated with one or more traversals of the plurality of roadways in a geographic location by one or more autonomous vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Andrew Raymond Sturges, Alexander Edward Chao, Yifang Liu, Xiaodong Zhang, Richard Brian Donnelly, Bryan John Nagy, Jeff Schneider, Collin Christopher Otis
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Patent number: 11932270Abstract: A vehicle driving system is equipped with an automatic driving control unit that outputs a signal for automatically actuating a plurality of pieces of in-vehicle operational equipment that can be operated by a driver, a manual driving control unit that outputs a signal to the pieces of the in-vehicle operational equipment based on an operational input by the driver, and an interface control unit that is connected to the automatic driving control unit, the manual driving control unit and the pieces of the in-vehicle operational equipment, that receives at least one of the signal output from the automatic driving control unit or the signal output from the manual driving control unit, and that outputs the received signal to the pieces of the in-vehicle operational equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsugu Makita, Keigo Hiruma, Shogo Nakata
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Patent number: 11927674Abstract: A system and method for providing a comprehensive trajectory planner for a person-following vehicle that includes receiving image data and LiDAR data associated with a surrounding environment of a vehicle. The system and method also include analyzing the image data and detecting the person to be followed that is within an image and analyzing the LiDAR data and detecting an obstacle that is located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. The system and method further include executing a trajectory planning algorithm based on fused data associated with the detected person and the detected obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Huckleberry Febbo, Jiawei Huang, David Francis Isele
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Patent number: 11921506Abstract: Real-time decision-making for a vehicle using belief state determination is described. Operational environment data is received while the vehicle is traversing a vehicle transportation network, where the data includes data associated with an external object. An operational environment monitor establishes an observation that relates the object to a distinct vehicle operation scenario. A belief state model of the monitor computes a belief state for the observation directly from the operational environment data. The monitor provides the computed belief state to a decision component implementing a policy that maps a respective belief state for the object within the distinct vehicle operation scenario to a respective candidate vehicle control action. A candidate vehicle control action is received from the policy of the decision component, and a vehicle control action is selected for traversing the vehicle transportation from any available candidate vehicle control actions.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., The University of MassachusettsInventors: Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein
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Patent number: 11919544Abstract: A method and a device for operating an automated vehicle. The method includes a step of detecting surroundings data values, a step of determining positions and/or predicted movements of objects in the surroundings of the automated vehicle, a step of carrying out a first comparison of the surroundings data values and/or of the positions and/or of the predicted movements using an external server, a step of determining a driving strategy for the automated vehicle as a function of the positions and/or predicted movements of the objects and as a function of the first comparison, a step of carrying out a second comparison of the driving strategy using the external server, and a step of operating the automated vehicle as a function of the driving strategy and as a function of the second comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Ruediger-Walter Henn, Tobias Mueller
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Patent number: 11897511Abstract: Methods and systems for multi-hypothesis object tracking for automated driving systems. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive environment information and generate pseudo-measurement data associated with an object within an environment of the vehicle. The electronic processor is also configured to determine, based on the environment information and the pseudo-measurement data, a set of association hypotheses regarding the object. The electronic processor is also configured to determine, based on the set of association hypotheses, an object state of the object. The electronic processor is also configured to control the vehicle based on the determined object state.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Theresa Veronika Kienle, Thomas Benjamin Gussner, Oliver F. Schwindt, Stephan Reuter, Andreas Heyl
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Patent number: 11847870Abstract: Systems, methods, and vehicles for taking a vehicle out-of-service are provided. In one example embodiment, a method includes obtaining, by one or more computing devices on-board an autonomous vehicle, data indicative of one or more parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle is configured to provide a vehicle service to one or more users of the vehicle service. The method includes determining, by the computing devices, an existence of a fault associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the computing devices, one or more actions to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the existence of the fault. The method includes performing, by the computing devices, one or more of the actions to take the autonomous vehicle out-of-service based at least in part on the fault.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Scott Poeppel, Nicholas G. Letwin, Sean J. Kelly
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Patent number: 11841708Abstract: Techniques for compensating for errors in position of a vehicle are discussed herein. In some cases, a discrepancy may exist between a measured state of the vehicle and a desired state as determined by a system of the vehicle. Techniques and methods for a planning architecture of an autonomous vehicle that is able to provide maintain a smooth trajectory as the vehicle follows a planned path or route. In some cases, a planning architecture of the autonomous vehicle may compensate for differences between an estimated state and a planned path without the use of a separate system. In this example process, the planning architecture may include a mission planning system, a decision system, and a tracking system that together output a trajectory for a drive system.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Janek Hudecek, Marin Kobilarov, Jack Riley
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Patent number: 11780531Abstract: A vehicle may have a seat and front wheel similar to those of a bicycle. However, the vehicle may have two rear wheels. The position of the two rear wheels may be adjustable. When the two rear wheels touch each other, the vehicle may function as a bicycle. When they are moved apart, the vehicle may function as a tricycle. In tricycle mode, the vehicle may travel autonomously without a human rider. In bicycle mode, a human may ride the vehicle like a bicycle. To transition between bicycle and tricycle modes, each rear wheel may rotate about a horizontal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In some cases, a bike chain is connected to only one of the rear wheels. In bicycle mode, motion imparted by the chain to one rear wheel may be transferred to the other by friction.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kent Larson, Naroa Coretti Sanchez, Michael Lin
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Patent number: 11772679Abstract: A method is provided for steering control of a vehicle by using lateral velocity of two know points (or lateral velocity of one known point and yaw rate), longitudinal velocity and steer angle information. These factors are used to calculate a target steer angle based on the track angle based on yaw decomposition to thus adjust a current steer angle of the vehicle based on the target steer angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Jun Mo Lee
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Patent number: 11720107Abstract: A method can include sending, via a processing device, a signal to at least two of a plurality of location indicators from an autonomous vehicle in motion and transporting equipment or passengers. The method can further include receiving signals from the at least two location indicators. The method can further include determining a location of the autonomous vehicle within an indoor facility based on the received signals. The method can further include comparing the determined location to a corresponding pre-determined location. The method can further include, in response to the determined location being different than the pre-determined location, adjusting a direction of the autonomous vehicle along a predetermined path within the indoor facility.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Meng Yew Lai
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Patent number: 11702203Abstract: A modular flat-packable drone kit includes a plurality of components that can be assembled into a drone. Components of the drone kit include elements that may be cut from a flat sheet of material, thereby enabling low cost manufacturing and compact packaging and may be assembled without specialized tools. A set of drones may operate in a standalone mode or may be coupled together and operated in a group configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Boy Scouts of AmericaInventors: David Williams McKeehan, Michael Dwight Gerard, Craig Alan Nehrkorn, Eric Alan Davis
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Patent number: 11701978Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for charging devices at a property using battery-charging drones. In some implementations, a monitoring system is configured to monitor a property and includes a battery-powered sensor configured to generate sensor data. The system includes a drone that is configured to navigate the property and charge the battery-powered sensor. A monitor control unit is configured to obtain a battery level from the battery-powered sensor and compare the battery level to a battery level threshold. Based on the comparison, the monitor control unit determines that the battery level does not satisfy the threshold. Based on the determination, the monitor control unit generates and transmits an instruction to a drone for the drone to navigate to the battery-powered sensor and charge a battery of the battery-powered sensor. The monitor control unit receives data from the drone that indicates whether the drone charged the battery of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Alarm.com IncorporatedInventors: Kevin Maurer, Alison Jane Slavin, Aaron Lee Roberts, Shan Huang
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Patent number: 11697427Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vehicle navigation. In one implementation, at least one processor may be programmed to receive, from a camera, a captured image representative of features in an environment of the vehicle. The processor may generate a warped image based on the received captured image, which may simulate a view of the features in the environment of the vehicle from a simulated viewpoint elevated relative to an actual position of the camera. The processor may further identify a road feature represented in the warped image, which may be transformed in one or more respects relative to a representation of the road feature in the captured image. The processor may then determine a navigational action for the vehicle based on the identified feature represented in the warped image and cause at least one actuator system of the vehicle to implement the determined navigational action.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Andras Ferencz, Ora Zackay
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Patent number: 11698458Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) controller is disclosed. The LIDAR controller may determine, based on a position of an implement, a scan area of the LIDAR sensor, wherein the scan area has an increased point density relative to another area of a field of view, of the LIDAR sensor, that includes the implement. The LIDAR controller may cause the LIDAR sensor to capture, with the increased point density, LIDAR data associated with the scan area. The LIDAR controller may process the LIDAR data to determine whether an object of interest is in an environment of the machine that is associated with the scan area. The LIDAR controller may perform an action based on the environment of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Russell Friend
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Patent number: 11686817Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a lidar sensor system is described. A computing system is configured to determine that the lidar sensor system is to update a code that is included in light signals emitted by the lidar sensor system. The computing system transmits a command signal to the lidar sensor system, wherein the command signal causes the lidar sensor system to transition from emitting light signals with a first code therein to emitting light signals with a second code therein, wherein the first code is different from the second code.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Matt Cox, Robert Vets, Peter Megson, Cornelis Jacob Lekkerkerker
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Patent number: 11669094Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an MDPS system including: an autonomous driving cancellation determination unit configured to determine whether to cancel autonomous driving, using column torque passed through a band stop filter, under an autonomous driving condition; and a signal processing unit configured to calculate command steering angle acceleration information using command steering angle information outputted from an autonomous driving system. When the steering angle acceleration information is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the autonomous driving cancellation determination unit may determine that urgent steering is performed by the autonomous driving system, and forbid cancellation of the autonomous driving.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tae Hong Kim
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Patent number: 11654918Abstract: System and methods for estimating a centerline of a road that separates traffic moving in opposite directions include aggregating a data set from each of a plurality of vehicles traversing the road over a period of time as telemetry data. Each data set of the telemetry data indicates a location and a heading. The method includes clustering the data sets of the telemetry data based on the heading indicated by each data set, and identifying a separator to separate the data sets indicating a first heading from the data sets indicating a second heading, opposite to the first heading. The centerline is estimated based on applying a spatial smoothing to the separator.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Orhan Bulan, Sheetal Mahesh, Yehenew G. Mengistu, Mason D. Gemar, David H. Clifford
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Patent number: 11651630Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a failure detection unit configured to detect a failure of a vehicle, and a vehicle controller configured to control the vehicle. The vehicle controller changes the control of the vehicle depending on a failure level when the failure detection unit detects a failure of an on-vehicle component other than the vehicle control device.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Yamashita, Koichi Ikemoto, Koji Taguchi, Shin Sakurada, Tomoyuki Kuriyama