Patents Examined by Genna M Mott
  • Patent number: 10720062
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated vehicle guidance based on coded lighting to enable automated vehicle following and/or regrouping. Systems use projectors to project temporal identifiers for space partitioned by pixel projections. Different space partition is associated with a different identifier. By using simple light sensors mounted on the vehicles, and decoding the sensed light signal, the vehicle can determine its precise location in the space relative to the coded light projector. This information may be used for precise vehicle guidance to enable vehicle following and/or regrouping. For vehicle following, the coded light projector is placed on a moving vehicle. For vehicle regrouping, the coded light projector may be placed on a ground or on a pole. Depending on the guidance precision requirements, the coded light precision may be adjusted by using light projectors with different resolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiong Liu, Shang Ma, Sven Kratz
  • Patent number: 10692369
    Abstract: A server includes a support aspect obtaining unit configured to obtain, from each of a plurality of vehicles by communication, a support aspect of driving support executed by a driving support device of the vehicle on each of a plurality of road links; a road link information generation unit configured to generate road link information in which the support aspect is associated with data of the road link for each of the road links; and an information providing unit configured to provide the road link information generated by the road link information generation unit, to an information service destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masato Endo
  • Patent number: 10676213
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a method of optimal safe landing area determination for an aircraft includes accessing a probabilistic safe landing area map that includes a plurality of probabilistic indicators of safe landing areas for the aircraft. A processing subsystem that includes one or more processing resources generates a list of candidate safe landing areas based on the probabilistic safe landing area map and one or more constraints. At least two of the candidate safe landing areas are provided to a path planner. The list of candidate safe landing areas is ranked based on results from the path planner indicating an estimated cost to reach each of the candidate safe landing areas. Based on the ranking, an indicator of an optimal safe landing area is output as a desired landing location for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuchu Ding, Jason C. Derenick, Brendan J. Englot, Igor Cherepinsky, Harshad S. Sane, Christopher Stathis
  • Patent number: 10664774
    Abstract: A carpool system is a system in which a vehicle that can autonomously travel on a predetermined route or a route based on a request of each of a plurality of users is used communally by the plurality of users. The carpool system includes a riding condition setting unit configured to set an attribute of each of the plurality of users as a riding condition for the users, and an attribute determination unit configured to, when the user rides the vehicle or reserves the vehicle for riding, determine whether the attribute of the user satisfies the riding condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaichi Sano, Seiichi Yamamoto, Miyuki Shimota, Atsushi Nishi, Makoto Yuzawa, Keiichi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10661682
    Abstract: A vehicle seat haptic system includes a vehicle seat and a controller. The vehicle seat includes a plurality of discrete haptic zones defined across the vehicle seat, and a plurality of actuators positioned in the plurality of haptic zones and configured to generate a haptic output. The controller is communicatively coupled to the plurality of actuators and configured to output a control signal to one or more of the plurality of actuators to generate an asynchronous haptic output across the vehicle seat based upon a position of a user in the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Alequin
  • Patent number: 10661912
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for assigning addresses to a plurality of functional modules carried by a movable object are provided. In one aspect, a method can comprise: (a) transmitting an activation signal from a control module to a functional module of the plurality of functional modules via a first communication interface, thereby activating the functional module for addressing, wherein the plurality of functional modules are each configured to control a component of the movable object; (b) transmitting an addressing signal comprising an address from the control module to each functional module of the plurality of functional modules via a second communication interface different from the first communication interface, thereby causing the address to be assigned to the activated functional module of step (a); and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for each functional module, thereby assigning an address to each functional module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaihong Lin, Wenlong Xiao, Xiaojian Wan
  • Patent number: 10661791
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect an object and to output a plurality of detection signals having a steering torque related to a result of detection; a braking device driver configured to drive a driving device of the vehicle; and a controller configured to select a single detection signal among the plurality of detection signals based on a predetermined priority, and configured to output an integrated control signal controlling the braking device driver based on the determined steering torque of the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: DaeHwan Kim, Sukki Min, Jongmo Kim, Bongchul Ko, SungYun Kim
  • Patent number: 10662045
    Abstract: An augmentation module is described for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) deployed in a facility and including a control module for controlling a drive mechanism based on navigational data received from a navigation sensor. The module includes a inter-module communications interface connected to the control module; a memory; and a processor connected to the communications interface and the memory. The processor is configured to: obtain an operational command; generate control data to execute the operational command; convert the control data to simulated sensor data; and send the simulated sensor data to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: CLEARPATH ROBOTICS INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Christopher Gariepy, Andrew Dobson, Jesse Tebbs, Robert Dam, Roydyn Clayton
  • Patent number: 10656651
    Abstract: A control device includes an electronic control unit executes steering control for avoiding a collision with an object that has a possibility of colliding with a host vehicle. The electronic control unit sets a timing when the host vehicle is predicted to pass the object as an end timing of the steering control when the steering control is performed. The electronic control unit determines whether or not a deviation possibility is present when the electronic control unit assumes that the steering control ends at the end timing. The deviation possibility is a possibility of the host vehicle deviating from a current traveling lane accompanying an end of the steering control. The electronic control unit performs reduction processing that reduces the deviation possibility when the electronic control unit determines that the deviation possibility is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Ozawa, Minami Sato, Shinichi Nagata, Hiroshi Izumi
  • Patent number: 10647174
    Abstract: An in-car temperature-controlling device for a car in its parked state uses a wireless remote control to remotely control a power-activating unit, an engine-starting unit, a window-activating unit and an AC-activating unit of the car, so as to adjust the car's in-car temperature. Its installation is easy and needs no structural changes to the car, so the car using the device can, in its parked state, have its in-car temperature prevented from being too high or too low. The in-car temperature-controlling device is characterized in contributing to convenience, safety, comfort and low costs, and is applicable to all existing and newly built cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: National Chin-Yi University of Technology
    Inventors: Kuo Yi Li, Yu Shan Wei, Jie Ru Lu, Bing Wei Wu, Yi Lung Chiu, Sy Cheng, Ching Jan Shiu
  • Patent number: 10607490
    Abstract: A driving support apparatus estimates an expected route of an own vehicle, calculates an effective length of the expected route, and alerts a driver of the own vehicle when it is determined that there exists an object which crosses a part within the effective length within a predetermined time. A formula of a circle with a radius of an estimated turning radius is used for an expected route formula expressing the expected route. Once it is determined that the own vehicle is trying to start turning left or right, the driving support apparatus calculates a turning angle of the own vehicle, and calculates the effective length of the expected route using a value based on a product of the estimated turning radius and a remaining turning angle which is an angle obtained by subtracting the turning angle from a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Ikedo, Tomonori Akiyama, Ryo Morishita
  • Patent number: 10597039
    Abstract: Method for the estimation of at least a variable (?; ?x, ?y; ?, ?) affecting a vehicle dynamics (10), including measuring dynamic variables (MQ) of the vehicle (10) during its motion, calculating in real time an estimate (Formula (I)) of said variable (?; ?x, ?y; ?, ?), on the basis of said measured dynamic variables (MQ), The method includes: calculating (230) said estimate of said at least a variable (?; ?x, ?y; ?, ?) by an estimation procedure (DVS?; DVS??,-DVS???) comprising taking in account a set of dynamic variables (MQ) measured during the motion of the vehicle (10) over respective time intervals (ny, nw, n?, nx, n?) and applying on said set of measured dynamic variables (MQ) at least an optimal nonlinear regression function (ƒ*?; ƒ*x, ƒ*y; ƒ*?1, ƒ*?2, ƒ*?1, ƒ?2) calculated with respect to said variable (?; ?x, ?y; ?, ?) to estimate to obtain said estimate of said variable (?; ?x, ?y; ?, ?), said optimal non linear regression function (ƒ*?; ƒ*x, ƒ*y; ƒ*?1, ƒ*?2, ƒ*?1, ƒ*?2) being obtained by an optima
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Modelway S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Milanese, Carlo Novara, Ilario Gerlero, Mario Bonansone
  • Patent number: 10598493
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a module for robot navigation, an address marker and an associated robot. The module divides a whole workspace area for robot traveling into a plurality of module areas, and each module area is internally provided with a first magnetic piece having a polarity of an N pole or an S pole and a second magnetic piece having a polarity different from the polarity of the first magnetic piece. The first magnetic piece is a first magnetic strip, and the second magnetic piece is a second magnetic strip. The first magnetic strip is arranged in the Y-axis direction, and the second magnetic strip is arranged in the X-axis direction. A third magnetic strip and a fourth magnetic strip are further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HANGZHOU AMLJ TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Jianqiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 10597028
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle to improve vehicle dynamics are provided. The method includes receiving data from a plurality of sensors which monitor vehicle dynamics by monitoring at least wheel and steering movements associated with a vehicle system used in controlling vehicle dynamics by control outputs from a holistic vehicle control system. Then, estimating states of the vehicle from computations of longitudinal and latitudinal velocities, tire slip ratios, clutch torque, axle torque, brake torque, and slip angles derived from the data sensed by the sensors from the wheel and steering movements. Finally, formulating a model of vehicle dynamics by using estimations of vehicle states with a target function to provide analytical data to enable the model of vehicle dynamics to be optimized and for using the data associated with the model which has been optimized to change control outputs to improve in real-time the vehicle dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Seyedalireza Kasaiezadeh Mahabadi, Shih-Ken Chen, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Patrick J. Monsere, Edward T. Heil
  • Patent number: 10593212
    Abstract: A method for an autonomous vehicle to perform an autonomous parking maneuver is provided. The method includes operating the autonomous vehicle to a destination and then operating the autonomous vehicle to a first parking location at the destination utilizing stored first coordinates of the first parking location. Next the autonomous vehicle determines whether the first parking location is available and performs the autonomous parking maneuver at the first location when the first parking location is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Valor Yaldo, Xiaofeng F. Song
  • Patent number: 10579062
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system generates a first vehicular path based on map information. The system collects data points representing geographical coordinates of vehicles that drove on a vehicular path lane at different points in time. The system segments the first vehicular path into path segments based on the collected data points. For each of the path segments, the system applies a smoothing function to select a subset of the data points that are within a predetermined proximity of the corresponding path segment and calculates a segment reference point to represent the path segment by combining the selected data points. The segment reference points of the path segments of the first vehicular path are interpolated to generate a second vehicular path such that the second vehicular path is used as a reference line to control ADVs driving on the first vehicular path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Weicheng Zhu, Li Zhuang, Qi Luo, Qi Kong, Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 10576971
    Abstract: A push cart includes a wheel, a motor, an obstacle detector, and a controller. The motor is configured to generate a rotational force that rotates the wheel. The obstacle detector is configured to detect an obstacle. The controller is configured to execute, in response to detection of the obstacle by the obstacle detector, avoidance control to control driving of the motor such that a movement of the push cart is limited. The controller is configured to disable execution of the avoidance control in response to a determination that a specified disabling condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Takeda, Itsuku Kato, Jiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10569785
    Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include receiving a first tire pressure measurement at a first time, receiving a second tire pressure measurement at a second time, comparing the first tire pressure measurement to the second tire pressure measurement, and determining that a road is flooded based on a difference of the first tire pressure measurement and the second tire pressure measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10569760
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rapidly charging a battery in a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method includes charging a battery at a first rate via an engine transferring torque to a plurality of motor/generators while a vehicle speed is controlled based on a driver demand, and charging the battery at a second rate greater than the first rate via the plurality of motor/generators while the vehicle is autonomously controlled via a cruise control system. In this way, by charging the battery at the second rate while the vehicle speed is being controlled by the cruise control system, drivability issues related to engine torque production and/or motor/generator torque production may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, David Farrell, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Kevin Ray Ruybal
  • Patent number: 10562539
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring control of one or more vehicle functions from a driver HUD to a passenger HUD. An example vehicle includes a driver HUD, a passenger HUD, and a processor. The processor is configured for enabling control of one or more vehicle functions via the driver HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed is below a threshold. The processor is also configured for transitioning control of the one or more vehicle functions from the driver HUD to the passenger HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed has increased above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alyssa Chatten, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ali Hassani, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Thomas Joseph Hermann, Erick Michael Lavoie