Patents by Inventor Craig R. Shankwitz
Craig R. Shankwitz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20180164821Abstract: A system and method for testing a test vehicle or a system on the test vehicle for warning the presence of an object proximate the test vehicle or a system to avoid a collision includes a self-powered, independently movable target configured to be positioned proximate the test vehicle, the target comprising a support frame having wheels, a motor operably coupled to one or more wheels, brakes operably coupled to each wheel and a control system coupled to the motor, brakes and wheels and configured to control acceleration, braking and steering of the wheels, and a collision avoidance system operable with the control system and configured to control the target to avoid a collision with the test vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Bradley C. Litz, Craig R. Shankwitz
-
Patent number: 9880556Abstract: A system and method for testing a test vehicle or a system on the test vehicle for warning the presence of an object proximate the test vehicle or a system to avoid a collision includes a self-powered, independently movable target configured to be positioned proximate the test vehicle, the target comprising a support frame having wheels, a motor operably coupled to one or more wheels, brakes operably coupled to each wheel and a control system coupled to the motor, brakes and wheels and configured to control acceleration, braking and steering of the wheels, and a collision avoidance system operable with the control system and configured to control the target to avoid a collision with the test vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Bradley C. Litz, Craig R. Shankwitz
-
Publication number: 20160325739Abstract: A vehicle control system for use on a roll-unstable wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to assist in control the vehicle. The vehicle control system comprises a moment generator coupleable to the vehicle and configured to selectively generate a moment in either of first and second directions. The vehicle control system also includes a control system operably coupled to the moment generator and configured to control the moment generator to selectively impart moments on the vehicle to stabilize the vehicle or to introduce disturbances on the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Bradley C. Litz, Craig R. Shankwitz
-
Publication number: 20160154407Abstract: A system and method for testing a test vehicle or a system on the test vehicle for warning the presence of an object proximate the test vehicle or a system to avoid a collision includes a self-powered, independently movable target configured to be positioned proximate the test vehicle, the target comprising a support frame having wheels, a motor operably coupled to one or more wheels, brakes operably coupled to each wheel and a control system coupled to the motor, brakes and wheels and configured to control acceleration, braking and steering of the wheels, and a collision avoidance system operable with the control system and configured to control the target to avoid a collision with the test vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2015Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Bradley C. Litz, Craig R. Shankwitz
-
Patent number: 7552008Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for populating a geospatial road database. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a geospatial database management system is mounted on a host vehicle and manages geospatial data relating to a travel path for the host vehicle. The embodiment further comprises a geospatial database to store data elements indicative of objects and their location. The embodiment further comprises a database manager component to maintain the geospatial database and receive database queries from a driver assist subsystem. The embodiment further comprises a database developer component is configured to develop the data elements in the geospatial database and receive database inputs from a lane level digitizer subsystem configured to receive inputs from a plurality of sensors mounted on the host vehicle. Finally, the embodiment comprises the plurality of sensors may include a Digital Global Positioning System, a digital camera, and a scanning range sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Bryan J. Newstrom, Max Donath, Craig R. Shankwitz
-
Patent number: 7375728Abstract: A virtual mirror is rendered by a computer graphics display or screen. The display substantially replicates the optical properties of a physical mirror. The display is provided on a host vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: University of MinnesotaInventors: Max Donath, Craig R. Shankwitz, Pi-Ming Cheng, Sameer Pardhy
-
Patent number: 7209051Abstract: An intersection assistance system includes at least one vehicle sensor and a gap estimator. The vehicle sensor is configured to obtain vehicle information on vehicles approaching the intersection along a main roadway. The gap estimator is configured to estimate gap information relating to a gap between the vehicles based on the vehicle information. The gap information includes a length of the gap, a location of the gap, and a velocity of the gap. In a method of obtaining information for use in assisting a driver of an entering vehicle to safely enter an intersection, vehicle information is obtained on vehicles traveling toward the intersection on a main roadway. Next, gap information is estimated relating to a gap between the vehicles based on the vehicle information. The gap information includes a length of the gap, a location of the gap, and a velocity of the gap.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: University of MinnesotaInventors: Craig R. Shankwitz, Lee Alexander, Pi-Ming Cheng, Max Donath, Alec Gorjestani, Arvind Menon, Bryan Newstrom, Nicholas J. Ward
-
Patent number: 7072764Abstract: A geospatial database management system is mounted on a host vehicle and manages geospatial data relating to a travel path for the host vehicle, the travel path having one or more lanes. A geospatial database stores data elements indicative of objects and a location of the objects in three-dimensional space. The objects have a lane-level resolution and the location is accurate to within an order of one decimeter or better. A database manager component is configured to maintain the data elements in the geospatial database and receive database queries from a driver assist subsystem configured to assist a driver of the host vehicle. A query processor is coupled to the database manager component and to the geospatial database and is configured to receive the database query from the database manager component. The query processor queries the geospatial database and returns query results to the database manager component. This can be done in real time.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: University of MinnesotaInventors: Max Donath, Bryan Newstrom, Craig R. Shankwitz, Alec Gorjestani, Heonmin Lim, Lee Alexander
-
Patent number: 6977630Abstract: The present invention is directed to a visual mobility assist device which provides a conformal, augmented display to assist a moving body. When the moving body is a motor vehicle, for instance (although it can be substantially any other body), the present invention assists the driver in either lane keeping or collision avoidance, or both. The system can display objects such as lane boundaries, targets, other navigational and guidance elements or objects, or a variety of other indicators, in proper perspective, to assist the driver.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: University of MinnesotaInventors: Max Donath, Craig R. Shankwitz, Heon Min Lim, Bryan Newstrom, Alec Gorjestani, Sameer Pardy, Lee Alexander, Pi-Ming Cheng
-
Publication number: 20040066376Abstract: The present invention is directed to a visual mobility assist device which provides a conformal, augmented display to assist a moving body. When the moving body is a motor vehicle, for instance (although it can be substantially any other body), the present invention assists the driver in either lane keeping or collision avoidance, or both. The system can display objects such as lane boundaries, targets, other navigational and guidance elements or objects, or a variety of other indicators, in proper perspective, to assist the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: Max Donath, Craig R. Shankwitz, Heon Min Lim, Bryan Newstrom, Alec Gorjestani, Sameer Pardhy, Lee Alexander, Pi-Ming Cheng
-
Publication number: 20030128182Abstract: A virtual mirror is rendered by a computer graphics display or screen. The display substantially replicates the optical properties of a physical mirror. The display is provided on a host vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2001Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Max Donath, Craig R. Shankwitz, Pi-Ming Cheng, Sameer Pardhy
-
Publication number: 20030023614Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for populating a geospatial road database. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a geospatial database management system is mounted on a host vehicle and manages geospatial data relating to a travel path for the host vehicle. The embodiment further comprises a geospatial database to store data elements indicative of objects and their location. The embodiment further comprises a database manager component to maintain the geospatial database and receive database queries from a driver assist subsystem. The embodiment further comprises a database developer component is configured to develop the data elements in the geospatial database and receive database inputs from a lane level digitizer subsystem configured to receive inputs from a plurality of sensors mounted on the host vehicle. Finally, the embodiment comprises the plurality of sensors may include a Digital Global Positioning System, a digital camera, and a scanning range sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Bryan J. Newstrom, Max Donath, Craig R. Shankwitz