Patents Examined by James M McPherson
  • Patent number: 11853073
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the motion of an autonomous are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining, by one or more computing devices on-board an autonomous vehicle, data associated with one or more objects that are proximate to the autonomous vehicle. The data includes a predicted path of each respective object. The method includes identifying at least one object as an object of interest based at least in part on the data associated with the object of interest. The method includes generating cost data associated with the object of interest. The method includes determining a motion plan for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the cost data associated with the object of interest. The method includes providing data indicative of the motion plan to one or more vehicle control systems to implement the motion plan for the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Costa, Michael L. Phillips, Michael Bode
  • Patent number: 11852491
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle control apparatus, a vehicle control method, and a vehicle control system capable of improving reliability of road recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Takahama
  • Patent number: 11851035
    Abstract: A vehicle including a body and an aerial device operable to rotate, extend, and retract relative to the body. The vehicle further includes a control panel, an electronic display, a computer control system, and an aerial elevation sensor that senses an elevation of the aerial device, wherein the computer control system receives a piece of data corresponding with the elevation and generates a graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device based on the elevation that is displayed on the electronic display of the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Spartan Fire, LLC
    Inventor: James Roger Lackore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11851094
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selection of a control speed for a remote-controlled vehicle based on rulesets applied to control nodes within a viewing window. In embodiments, a viewing window including control nodes, each having a having ruleset defining operating conditions associated therewith, may be determined. The ruleset for a control node may define operating limitations (e.g., speed limitations, orientation limitations, etc.) at the control node. In embodiments, a control speed plan for the viewing window may be generated based on the operating conditions for each control node within the current viewing window based on the limitations associated with each control node. The control speed plan may include an optimal control speed at each control node within the viewing window and a speed profile indicating an acceleration or deceleration curve to be followed through each of the optimal control speeds in the control speed plan when executing the control speed plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventor: Nathaniel W. Merry
  • Patent number: 11850949
    Abstract: A device for calibrating two electric motors mounted on one axle in two-axle motor vehicles includes at least one electronic control unit configured to check whether predefined conditions for a switchover from torque control to rotational speed control are met. If met, the at least one electronic control unit is configured to switch to rotational speed control for a predefined period of time. A torque-dependent characteristic map with correction values is created on the basis of this difference. The target torques are corrected by the correction values during torque control after rotational speed control has been deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Igor Gusyev, Boris Zuev
  • Patent number: 11845465
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a path to be followed by an ego vehicle. The method also includes determining a desired yaw rate and a desired yaw acceleration for the ego vehicle based on the identified path. The method further includes determining a desired yaw moment for the ego vehicle based on the desired yaw rate and the desired yaw acceleration. In addition, the method includes distributing the desired yaw moment to multiple wheels of the ego vehicle such that the distributed desired yaw moment creates lateral movement of the ego vehicle during travel along the identified path. In some cases, the desired yaw rate and the desired yaw acceleration for the ego vehicle may be determined based on nonlinear kinematics of the ego vehicle, and the desired yaw moment for the ego vehicle may be determined based on a single-track dynamic model of the ego vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kilsoo Kim, Jongmoo Choi, Vishal U. Shanbhag, Lung En Jan, Aviral K. Singh, Paolo E. Pucci
  • Patent number: 11845546
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward viewing camera disposed behind a windshield of a vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle through the windshield. A control is disposed at the vehicle and includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward viewing camera. A drone includes a drone camera that captures image data. The drone is detachably disposed at the vehicle and is detachable from the vehicle and operable to fly above the vehicle. The drone camera captures image data representative of an area viewed by the drone camera with the drone flying above the vehicle. With the drone detached from the vehicle and flying above the vehicle, the drone communicates a signal to the control. Responsive to receiving the signal communicated by the drone, the control determines a traffic condition ahead of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 11841432
    Abstract: A method for determining positions of moving targets in unbiased three-dimensional (3D) measurement spaces using data collected against the moving targets by an electro-optical or infrared (EO/IR) sensor, the method comprising receiving data collected from electrical signals reflected from the moving targets in a first focal plane of the EO/IR sensor at a first time point, receiving data collected from electrical signals reflected from the moving targets in a second focal plane of the EO/IR sensor at a second time point, generating two-dimensional (2D) measurement data for the moving targets in the first and second focal planes, calculating 3D target velocities for the moving targets using the 2D measurement data, and estimating local 3D positions within a first unbiased 3D measurement space for the moving targets at the first and second time points based on the 3D target velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Valeri I. Karlov, Steven A. Miles, Aaron Maestas, Jason R. Mcmurtrey
  • Patent number: 11840147
    Abstract: Operation and motion control, by a vehicle's ADAS or AD features, is improved in ways suitable to EVs having higher driving and handling performance. The vehicle dynamic model for high rates of lateral acceleration (e.g., sharp cornering or taking curves having a small radius of curvature as faster speeds) is improved by one or more of optimizing time cornering stiffness with a sigmoid function and/or altering front/rear steering angle to account for roll steer and compliance steer, based on vehicle testing. Indicators for lane departure warning or collision warning, evasive steering, or emergency braking are therefore reliably extended to allow higher performance maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kilsoo Kim, Aviral Singh, David R. Arft
  • Patent number: 11834054
    Abstract: A system includes inertial sensors and a GPS. The system generates a first estimated vehicle velocity based on motion data and positioning data, generates a second estimated vehicle velocity based on the processed motion data and the first estimated vehicle velocity, and generates fused datasets indicative of position, velocity and attitude of a vehicle based on the processed motion data, the positioning data and the second estimated vehicle velocity. The generating the second estimated vehicle velocity includes: filtering the motion data, transforming the filtered motion data in a frequency domain based on the first estimated vehicle velocity, generating spectral power density signals, generating an estimated wheel angular frequency and an estimated wheel size based on the spectral power density signals, and generating the second estimated vehicle velocity as a function of the estimated wheel angular frequency and the estimated wheel size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l., STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMicroelectronics (Grand Ouest) SAS
    Inventors: Nicola Matteo Palella, Leonardo Colombo, Andrea Donadel, Roberto Mura, Mahaveer Jain, Joƫlle Philippe
  • Patent number: 11833908
    Abstract: The electric vehicle according to the present disclosure is configured to be able to select a traveling mode between an MT mode in which an electric motor is controlled with torque characteristics like an MT vehicle having a manual transmission and an internal combustion engine, and an EV mode in which the electric motor is controlled with normal torque characteristics. The controller of the electric vehicle controls the electric motor in the MT mode such that responsiveness of the motor torque with respect to a change in the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is lower than in the EV mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Akiko Nishimine, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11835350
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for determining asset efficiency. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) may be used to obtain aerial images of locations, property or structures. The aerial images may be geo-rectified, and a ortho-mosaic, digital surface model, or a point cloud may be created. In the context of an operation where mobile assets are used, such as construction or earth moving equipment, location-based event information may be obtained. The location-based event information may be used to determine road segment conditions or road topology where problematic road conditions likely exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabien Blanc-Paques, Mark Christian, Donald Curry Weigel
  • Patent number: 11835341
    Abstract: A system for integrity monitoring comprises a processor onboard a vehicle, a terrain map database, vision sensors, and inertial sensors. Each vision sensor has an overlapping FOV with at least one other vision sensor. The processor performs integrity monitoring of kinematic states of the vehicle, and comprises a plurality of first level filter sets, each including multiple position PDF filters. A consistency monitor is coupled to each first level filter set. Second level filter sets, each including multiple position PDF filters and a navigation filter, are coupled to the consistency monitor, the map database, the vision sensors, and the inertial sensors. Consistency check modules are each coupled to a respective second level filter set. A third level fusion filter is coupled to each of the consistency check modules. An integrity monitor is coupled to the fusion filter and assures integrity of a final estimate of the vehicle kinematic state statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vibhor L Bageshwar, Michael Ray Elgersma
  • Patent number: 11832543
    Abstract: A boom suspension system may comprise a center frame operably connected to a main frame with linkages configured for vertical movement. A sensor may be operably connected to a pair of boom structures, which may extend laterally outward from opposing sides of the center frame. A controller may be configured to receive input data from the sensor and determine forces or flow rate to tilt cylinders, which may be coupled between each boom structure and the center frame. Each tilt cylinder may be operably connected to a hydraulic circuit, which may comprise a flow control mode and a pressure control mode determined by the controller. The hydraulic circuit may comprise a first set of valves in parallel with a second set of valves. Each set of valves may comprise a solenoid valve in series with a pressure regulating valve and a pressure sensor disposed on either side of each solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Eric R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11820255
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to dynamically and automatically adjusting a standard regenerative braking intensity. Roadway data, data from one or more sensors of a vehicle and data including parameter values for operating states of the vehicle regarding a roadway from a route being navigated by the vehicle are received by a processor of a control system of the vehicle. Standard regenerative braking intensity values based on a vehicle's acceleration is retrieved from memory. Adjusted regenerative braking intensity values are calculated based on at least one of the roadway data, the sensor data and the parameter values of the operating states of the vehicle and the standard regenerative braking intensity values. The adjusted regenerative braking intensity values are transmitted to the control system and an acceleration or deacceleration amount is applied to the vehicle based on the adjusted regenerative braking intensity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIO Technology (Anhui) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick Rajaie, Joshua Smith, Jamie P. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11820374
    Abstract: A control device may be configured for responding to failure for ensuring the stability of a vehicle by switching from a two-wheel-drive mode to a four-wheel-drive mode when detecting failure of the brake system in a two-wheel-drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gwi Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 11815031
    Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft including a gas turbine engine and a plurality of fuel tanks arranged to provide fuel to the gas turbine engine, where at least two of the fuel tanks contain fuels with different fuel characteristics. The method includes obtaining a flight profile for a flight of the aircraft; and determining a fuelling schedule for the flight based on the flight profile and the fuel characteristics. The fuelling schedule governs the variation with time of how much fuel is drawn from each tank. Fuel input to the gas turbine engine may then be controlled in operation in accordance with the fuelling schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Peter Swann, Craig W Bemment, Alastair G Hobday, Benjamin J Keeler, Christopher P Madden
  • Patent number: 11808010
    Abstract: A method for operating an implement assembly of a machine at a worksite is disclosed. The implement assembly is adapted to receive a load from a location, haul the load, and dump the load at a dump location. The method includes detecting, by a controller, a movement of the machine towards the location. Further, the method includes moving, by the controller, the implement assembly from a first state to a second state if at least one parameter associated with the machine relative to the location falls below a corresponding parameter threshold during the movement of the machine towards the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Pradeep Kumar P H
  • Patent number: 11807237
    Abstract: A vehicle control system configured to control deceleration of a vehicle properly according to a driver's intention in one-pedal mode. In the one-pedal mode, a controller controls deceleration of the vehicle based on a deceleration level set in accordance with a speed of the vehicle. If the brake pedal is manipulated to decelerate the vehicle while the vehicle is operated in the one-pedal mode and an operating amount of an accelerator pedal falls within the decelerating range, the controller updates the deceleration level based on an operation of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Hiromitsu Metsugi
  • Patent number: 11801865
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for creating a velocity grid of a simulated object in a simulated environment for use by an autonomous vehicle. The method may include simulating a road scenario with simulated objects. The method may also include tracking a point representative of a portion of one of the simulated objects in the simulated road scenario, wherein the point representative of the portion of one of the simulated objects moves from a first location to a second location in a time period, wherein the velocity of the point is generated from the first location to the second location. The method may further include storing the velocity of the point representative of the portion of one of the simulated objects in a velocity grid for the simulated objects in a memory device in an electrical communication with a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Richard Stenson, Minhao Xu