Patents Examined by Nicholas K Wiltey
  • Patent number: 11269354
    Abstract: Examples described may enable provision of remote assistance for an autonomous vehicle. An example method includes a computing system operating by default in a first mode and periodically transitioning from operation in the first mode to operation in a second mode. In the first mode, the system may receive environment data provided by the vehicle and representing object(s) having a detection confidence below a threshold, where the detection confidence is indicative of a likelihood of correct identification of the object(s), and responsive to the object(s) having a confidence below the threshold, provide remote assistance data comprising an instruction to control the vehicle and/or a correct identification of the object(s). In the second mode, the system may trigger user interface display of remote assistor alertness data based on pre-stored data related to an environment in which the pre-stored data was acquired, and receive a response relating to the alertness data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel Fairfield, Joshua Herbach
  • Patent number: 11252853
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Patent number: 11247648
    Abstract: A tire monitoring device comprising a sensor for monitoring a tire parameter and a first controller for controlling the operation of the device. A measurement apparatus is provided for generating parameter measurement data from the sensor output signal. A second controller is provided for controlling the operation of the measurement apparatus. The second controller communicates parameter data to the first controller based on the measurement data. The device is particularly suited to monitoring tire pressure and detecting tire burst events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schrader Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Darren Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Barr, Stephen Keyes
  • Patent number: 11235785
    Abstract: A method for autonomous navigation of an autonomous vehicle includes: estimating a stopping duration, for the autonomous vehicle to reach a full stop, based on a current speed of the autonomous vehicle; calculating a critical time from the current time by the stopping duration; detecting an object in a scan image, of a field proximal the autonomous vehicle, captured by a sensor on the autonomous vehicle at the current time; based on the scan image, deriving a current location and motion of the object; calculating a future state boundary that represents a ground area accessible to the object up to the critical time based on the current location and motion of the object and a set of predefined motion limit assumptions for generic objects proximal public roads; and electing a navigational action to avoid entry into the future state boundary prior to the critical time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BlueSpace.ai, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Pazhayampallil, Christine Moon
  • Patent number: 11235872
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system utilize an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in order to support the definition and use of routes by bicyclists, pedestrians or scooters. With respect to defining a bicycle route a map database is accessed that represents roads segments in a geographic area. The map database contains map data that indicates attributes of the road segments. The bicycle route is then defined from an origin to a destination based upon the map data indicative of attributes of the road segments. In this regard, the bicycle route is defined to include one or more road segments that allow bicycle traffic unaccompanied by a UAV and one or more road segments for which bicycle traffic is unauthorized unless accompanied by a UAV. The bicycle route is subsequently caused to be provided to the bicyclist or a device accessible to the bicyclist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventor: Frank Kozak
  • Patent number: 11231279
    Abstract: A work machine management system includes: a position detecting device that detects a position of a work machine traveling in a workplace; a non-contact sensor that detects an object existing in the workplace in a non-contact manner; map data that accumulates information on existence and a position of the object existing in the workplace on the basis of detection data obtained by the position detecting device and detection data obtained by the non-contact sensor; a travel route generation unit that generates a travel route where the work machine travels; and an identifying unit that identifies perfection of map data. The travel route generation unit generates the travel route where the work machine travels on the basis of the perfection of the map data identified by the identifying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Komatsu LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakai, Masanori Minagawa, Tomonori Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11231717
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a system generates a number of sample trajectories from a trajectory sample space for a driving scenario. The system determines a reward based on a reward model for each of the sample trajectories, where the reward model is generated using a rank based conditional inverse reinforcement learning algorithm. The system ranks the sample trajectories based on the determined rewards. The system determines a highest ranked trajectory based on the ranking. The system selects the highest ranked trajectory to control the ADV autonomously according to the highest ranked trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Haoyang Fan, Qi Kong, Zhongpu Xia, Changchun Liu, Yaqin Chen, Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11221399
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting spurious objects. For instance, a model may be trained using raining data including a plurality of LIDAR data points generated by a LIDAR sensor of a vehicle. Each given LIDAR data point includes location information and intensity information, and is associated with waveform data for that given LIDAR data point. At least one of the plurality of LIDAR data points is further associated with a label identifying spurious objects through which the vehicle is able to drive. The model and/or a plurality of heuristics may then be provided to a vehicle in order to allow the vehicle to determine LIDAR data points that correspond to spurious objects. These LIDAR data points may then be filtered from sensor data, and the filtered sensor data may be used to control the vehicle in an autonomous driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Clayton Kunz, Christian Lauterbach, Roshni Cooper
  • Patent number: 11199851
    Abstract: During movement control wherein a moving body tracks a user while in front of the user, a coordinate obtained from the torso of the user is used as the X coordinate of the position of the user, and among the position of the body of the user and the position of the feet of the user, the position which is closer to the moving body is used as the Y coordinate. Thus, the moving body is able to move to a target position in the left/right direction (the X coordinate) and the front/back direction (the Y coordinate) that is appropriate with respect to the user. Accordingly, the distance between the moving body and the user can be maintained appropriately, and movement control in front of the user and that is not an impediment to the user can be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EQUOS RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kuno
  • Patent number: 11194334
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile device includes a communicator, a map information storage, a mover, a path generator, and a moving controller. The communicator receives first mark information stored in a mark information storage from a mark management server device. The map information storage stores map information concerning a delivery area. The mover moves the autonomous mobile device. The path generator sets a first object to which a first mark is attached as a first delivery destination, and generates a path from a moving start position of the autonomous mobile device to the first delivery destination based on the first mark information and the map information. The moving controller controls the mover to move the autonomous mobile device to the first delivery destination based on the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sugishita, Masatsugu Fujita, Tatsuo Sakai
  • Patent number: 11179981
    Abstract: A vehicle trailer connect system and automated parking system for use with a motor vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an input for obtaining information from a vehicle communication bus; an output for sending information to a vehicle communications bus; a control circuit for controlling the position and movement of a motor vehicle; an image gathering system to obtain visual or spatial data between a motor vehicle hitch and a hitch receiver attached to the trailer. A system controller guides vehicle steering as the vehicle is backed through a field of view of the image gathering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: UUSI, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Shank, Josh Goulet
  • Patent number: 11167693
    Abstract: Vehicle attention systems and techniques may include using a first seat and first actuator, a second seat and second actuator, an image capture device, an image analyzer, a microphone, a voice analyzer, and a controller. The image capture device may capture an image of a seating arrangement of a vehicle. The image analyzer may be implemented via a processor and may identify a first occupant occupying the first seat of the vehicle and a second occupant occupying the second seat of the vehicle. The microphone may receive a sound sample. The voice analyzer may be implemented via the processor and may determine a target occupant and associated seat from among the first seat and the second seat based on the sound sample. The controller may activate the first actuator or the second actuator based on the determined target occupant and the determined associated seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stuart Masakazu Yamamoto, Matias Monges, Joseph Anthony Alequin
  • Patent number: 11169523
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method of controlling swimming for a robotic fish. The robotic fish, which is operated in a narrow space like an aquarium, often hits the outer wall during submerging or upwardly swimming. In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an inclination adjusting means, which adjusts the inclination while generating the rotational propulsive force, it is possible to do smooth submergence and upwardly swimming in the narrow space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Artificial Intelligence Robot Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Joo Oh, Ji Gyeong Yu, Kyong Chol Chong, Ji Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11167736
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a pedestrian detection and collision mitigation system (PDCMS) of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a front detection sensor that detects a pedestrian in a driving lane of the vehicle and a distance and a relative speed between the pedestrian and the vehicle. A vehicle sensor detects a vehicle speed and a controller executes the PDCMS function based on information detected by the front detection sensor and the vehicle sensor. A warning unit then outputs a notification to a driver regarding a collision of the pedestrian with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yoon Soo Kim, Seung Wook Park, Min Byeong Lee, Ho Choul Jung, In Yong Jung
  • Patent number: 11158142
    Abstract: A method for tire force reserve estimation is applicable to a vehicle. In the method, vehicle motion information including the longitudinal acceleration, the lateral acceleration, the change of the tire rotation angle at different times, the change of the yaw at different times, the steering angle of the steering tires, etc. is continuously detected, for estimating the current normal force, the current longitudinal force and the current lateral force of each of the tires. Finally, the current normal force, the current longitudinal force, the current lateral force and the coefficient of friction of the road relative to the tires are applied to estimate the longitudinal tire force reserve and the lateral tire force reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: HUA-CHUANG AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION TECHNICAL CENTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Chiuan Chen, Ya-Yu You, Yu-Min Lin, Wei-Jie Chen, Yuan-Chun Chen, Di Ku
  • Patent number: 11155258
    Abstract: A risk maneuver assessment system and method to generate a perception of an environment of a vehicle and a behavior decision making model for the vehicle; a sensor system configured to provide the sensor input in the environment for filtering target objects; one or more modules configured to map and track target objects to make a candidate detection from multiple candidate detections of a true candidate detection as the tracked target object; apply a Markov Random Field (MRF) algorithm for recognizing a current situation of the vehicle and predict a risk of executing a planned vehicle maneuver at the true detection of the dynamically tracked target; apply mapping functions to sensed data of the environment for configuring a machine learning model of decision making behavior of the vehicle; and apply adaptive threshold to cells of an occupancy grid for representing an area of tracking of objects within the vehicle environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Bush, Manpreet S. Bajwa, Shuqing Zeng, Rickie A. Sprague
  • Patent number: 11157021
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle is described and includes a computer carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle to control flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle and at least one sensor. The unmanned aerial vehicle is caused to fly a specific pattern within a facility, receive sensor data from a sensor carried by the vehicle, apply processing to the sensor data to detect an unacceptable level of detected feature differences in features contained in the sensor data, determine a new flight instruction for the vehicle based on the processing; and send the new flight instruction for the vehicle to a system for controlling flight of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
    Inventor: Anthony Mucci
  • Patent number: 11156999
    Abstract: A golf cart system for enabling a golf cart to autonomously operate includes a cart main body, a control module, a server, and a terminal. More specifically, when the terminal deviates from its original location where transmission and reception to and from a golf cart are performed or the terminal deviates from a driving restricted area or driving area within a driving area set in the golf cart, the golf cart is automatically stopped. When the terminal enters the driving area again, an accurate location of the terminal is confirmed using a distance value having a minimized error range using a trilateration algorithm, and the golf cart can move rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TT & G CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bae hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11151883
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is provided. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle body, sensors and a processing element. The sensors are deployed on the vehicle body to sense surroundings of the vehicle body. The processing element is coupled to the vehicle body and the sensors. The processing element is configured to receive information from the sensors and to control driving operations of the vehicle body in accordance with the received information. The processing element is also configured to interpret at least a portion of the received information as being indicative of a troublesome incident and to deduce that a need for help to address the troublesome incident exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric V. Kline, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 11142039
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for adjusting a plurality of environmental conditions of a vehicle based on a plurality of environmental conditions of an expected destination is provided. The present invention may include monitoring the plurality of environmental conditions of a vehicle by utilizing at least one vehicle device sensor. The present invention may then include retrieving the plurality of environmental conditions of an expected destination of the vehicle. The present invention may also include determining a delta between the monitored plurality of environmental conditions of the vehicle and the retrieved plurality of environmental conditions of the expected destination of the vehicle. The present invention may further include adjusting, over a gradual period of time, the monitored plurality of environmental conditions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Craig M. Trim, Shikhar Kwatra, Martin G. Keen