Patents by Inventor KEVIN P. CONRAD

KEVIN P. CONRAD 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).

  • Patent number: 11046321
    Abstract: Systems and methods of performing adaptive control of an automated lane change in a vehicle include positioning a target vehicle with a target speed in a target lane at a target distance behind the vehicle. The target speed is greater than a speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle will move into the target lane based on the automated lane change. The method includes determining a deceleration needed by the target vehicle over a braking distance, which is less than the target distance, to match the speed of the vehicle, and determining whether the deceleration exceeds a threshold deceleration. The automated lane change is prohibited based on the deceleration exceeding the threshold deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin P. Conrad, Daryl A. Wilson, Bryan M. Joyner, Kenneth L. Rosol, Daniel B. Cutler
  • Publication number: 20200290618
    Abstract: Systems and methods of performing adaptive control of an automated lane change in a vehicle include positioning a target vehicle with a target speed in a target lane at a target distance behind the vehicle. The target speed is greater than a speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle will move into the target lane based on the automated lane change. The method includes determining a deceleration needed by the target vehicle over a braking distance, which is less than the target distance, to match the speed of the vehicle, and determining whether the deceleration exceeds a threshold deceleration. The automated lane change is prohibited based on the deceleration exceeding the threshold deceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin P. Conrad, Daryl A. Wilson, Bryan M. Joyner, Kenneth L. Rosol, Daniel B. Cutler
  • Patent number: 10077050
    Abstract: The methods and system described herein may be used to assist an automated driving system of a host vehicle. The methods and system may, in an exemplary embodiment, be used to determine whether a host vehicle or a target vehicle is cutting out and, accordingly, control the acceleration and/or other driving features of the host vehicle. Generally, the methods described herein contain the steps of determining that a vehicle is cutting out, determining which vehicle is cutting out, and then controlling the acceleration of the host vehicle based on the previous determinations. The determination of which vehicle is cutting out is made based on readings gathered by the host vehicle from one or more automated driving sensors. By using target vehicle sensor data in conjunction with lane marking sensor data, the host vehicle can determine, not only that a vehicle is cutting out, but which vehicle(s) are cutting out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Akshat Rajvanshi, Kevin A. O'Dea, III, Kevin P. Conrad, III
  • Publication number: 20170341647
    Abstract: The methods and system described herein may be used to assist an automated driving system of a host vehicle. The methods and system may, in an exemplary embodiment, be used to determine whether a host vehicle or a target vehicle is cutting out and, accordingly, control the acceleration and/or other driving features of the host vehicle. Generally, the methods described herein contain the steps of determining that a vehicle is cutting out, determining which vehicle is cutting out, and then controlling the acceleration of the host vehicle based on the previous determinations. The determination of which vehicle is cutting out is made based on readings gathered by the host vehicle from one or more automated driving sensors. By using target vehicle sensor data in conjunction with lane marking sensor data, the host vehicle can determine, not only that a vehicle is cutting out, but which vehicle(s) are cutting out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Akshat Rajvanshi, Kevin A. O'Dea, III, Kevin P. Conrad, III
  • Patent number: 9633565
    Abstract: A method for use in an active safety system installed on a host vehicle is provided. The method comprises acquiring, for each of a plurality of target objects in the path of the host vehicle, a value of a parameter that is representative of a likelihood that the host vehicle will collide with the target object. In an exemplary embodiment, the parameter that is utilized comprises a time-to-collision between the host vehicle and the target object. The method further comprises evaluating one or more of the acquired parameter values to determine if the host vehicle is likely to collide with one or more of the target objects, and triggering one or more collision avoidance measures when it is determined that the host vehicle is likely to collide with one or more of the target objects. An active safety system configured to perform the methodology is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Kevin P. Conrad
  • Patent number: 9511751
    Abstract: Methods and vehicles are provided for identifying objects in proximity to the vehicle and controlling active safety functionality for the vehicle. A target object in proximity to the vehicle is detected. A movement of the target object is measured. The target object is classified based at least in part on the movement. The active safety functionality is controlled based at least in part on the classification of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chad T. Zagorski, Kevin P. Conrad, Daniel Gandhi
  • Publication number: 20140136044
    Abstract: A method for use in an active safety system installed on a host vehicle is provided. The method comprises acquiring, for each of a plurality of target objects in the path of the host vehicle, a value of a parameter that is representative of a likelihood that the host vehicle will collide with the target object. In an exemplary embodiment, the parameter that is utilized comprises a time-to-collision between the host vehicle and the target object. The method further comprises evaluating one or more of the acquired parameter values to determine if the host vehicle is likely to collide with one or more of the target objects, and triggering one or more collision avoidance measures when it is determined that the host vehicle is likely to collide with one or more of the target objects. An active safety system configured to perform the methodology is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Kevin P. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20130024075
    Abstract: Methods and vehicles are provided for identifying objects in proximity to the vehicle and controlling active safety functionality for the vehicle. A target object in proximity to the vehicle is detected. A movement of the target object is measured. The target object is classified based at least in part on the movement. The active safety functionality is controlled based at least in part on the classification of the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: CHAD T. ZAGORSKI, KEVIN P. CONRAD, DANIEL GANDHI