Automatic Route Guidance Vehicle Patents (Class 701/23)
  • Patent number: 11738777
    Abstract: This application relates to techniques for dynamically determining whether to engage an autonomous controller of a vehicle. A computing system may receive a request to engage the autonomous controller (e.g., autonomous mode) of the vehicle. In some examples, the request may be received from a simulation computing system configured to test an updated autonomous controller in a simulation. Based on a determination that conditions associated with engaging autonomy are satisfied, the computing system engages the autonomous controller. Based on a determination that conditions associated with engaging autonomy are not satisfied, the computing system disables the engagement of the autonomous controller such that the vehicle is controlled according to an initial operational mode (e.g., manual mode, semi-autonomous mode, previous version of the autonomous controller, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Chu, Janek Hudecek, Prateek Chandresh Shah
  • Patent number: 11731644
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a transition between a manual driving mode and an autonomous driving mode of a vehicle. For instance, one or more processors of one or more control computing devices may control the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode. While controlling the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode and decelerating at a given rate, the processors may receive at a user input of the vehicle input requesting a transition from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode. In response to the input, the processors may transition the vehicle to the manual driving mode. After transitioning the vehicle to the manual driving mode, the processors may send deceleration signals to a deceleration actuator thereby causing the vehicle to continue to decelerate at the given rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Stark, Daniel Trawick Egnor, Ryan Cash, Andrew Schultz
  • Patent number: 11734935
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for correlating synthetic LiDAR data to a real-world domain for use in training an model for use by autonomous vehicle when operating in an environment. To do this, the system will obtain a data set of synthetic LiDAR data, along with images of a real-world environment. The system will transfer the synthetic LiDAR data to a two-dimensional representation, use the two-dimensional representation and the images to train a model that a vehicle can use to operate in a real-world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Chen, James Hays, Ersin Yumer
  • Patent number: 11731652
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine contextual information associated with an environment including a vehicle and at least one agent for generating a computer simulation based on the environment. One or more behavior constraints for the at least one agent can be determined based on the contextual information. A set of trajectories can be generated based on the one or more behavior constraints. A trajectory can be selected from the set of trajectories based on determining that the trajectory satisfies one or more predetermined criteria. The computer simulation can be generated, wherein the computer simulation includes monitoring driving behavior of the vehicle in response to the vehicle interacting with the at least one agent based on the selected trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Woven Planet North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Andrew Dolben, Chih Chi Hu, Peter Ondruska
  • Patent number: 11724695
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing a scenario-based overlay torque request signal in a steer torque manager (1) during driver-override of an auxiliary steering assistance system (2) function in a road vehicle (3) having an EPAS system (4). The steer torque manager (1) has a wheel angle controller (1b) for providing an assistance torque request related signal, and a driver-in-the-loop functionality (1a) for determining driver-override and providing a driver-override related signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Zenuity AB, Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Niklas Lidander, Lars Johannesson Mårdh, Andreas Carlsson, Markus Löfgren, Andreas Lindberg
  • Patent number: 11718295
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an automatic driving robot control device and control method that enable a vehicle to be operated smoothly while also being caused to conform to a command vehicle speed with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Kento Yoshida, Hironobu Fukai
  • Patent number: 11718318
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for planning a speed of an autonomous vehicle, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: generating a plurality of speed trajectories to be selected for the autonomous vehicle before the autonomous vehicle changes a lane; obtaining predicted speeds and predicted positions of an obstacle at the plurality of time points; calculating a cost function value of each of the speed trajectories to be selected, according to the plurality of speed trajectories to be selected, the predicted speeds and the predicted positions; and selecting a speed trajectory to be selected with a minimum cost function value as a planning speed trajectory of the autonomous vehicle. A speed of the autonomous vehicle can be adjusted before the autonomous vehicle changes a lane, thereby creating an opportunity and a safe distance for the lane change, and improving a success rate of the lane change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Apollo Intelligent Driving (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changchun Liu, Yaqin Chen, Peng Geng
  • Patent number: 11718325
    Abstract: A display control unit displays a background of a touch panel in a first color and does not display a button for starting autonomous driving on the touch panel when an autonomous driving vehicle is not permitted to travel in autonomous driving from a management center and displays the background of the touch panel in a second color different from the first color and displays an autonomous driving start button for starting the autonomous driving on the touch panel when the autonomous driving vehicle is permitted to travel in autonomous driving from the management center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Shogo Nakata
  • Patent number: 11720321
    Abstract: An embodiment vehicle includes a camera, a speaker, and a controller electrically connected to the camera and the speaker, wherein the controller is configured to acquire a first external image outside the vehicle from the camera, input the first external image to a pre-trained first neural network and extract a first feature corresponding to the first external image, and control the speaker to output a first sound sample among a plurality of sound samples, based on a comparison of the first feature and pre-stored features corresponding to the plurality of sound samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoung-Jin Chang, Dong Chul Park, Jinsung Lee, Sangjin Hong
  • Patent number: 11718305
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may determine a measured driving characteristic of a driving control system based on observations of vehicles driven by the driving control system. The system may determine a difference between the measured driving characteristic and a target driving characteristic, which is based on objectivations of one or more manually controlled vehicles. The system may determine an evaluation objective for the driving control system. The system may determine a weight function for the evaluation objective. The system may determine a score for the driving control system with respect to the evaluation objective by weighting the difference between the measured driving characteristic and the target driving characteristic using the weight function. The system may apply, based on the score, an adjustment to the driving control system to reduce a difference between a subsequently measured driving characteristic of the driving control system and the target driving characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jared Benisch, Emilie Jeanne Anne Danna, Sameer Qureshi
  • Patent number: 11709496
    Abstract: This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable determining a route between a start point and an end point in a site and navigating over the route. The sensors collect any or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data to detect an obstacle between two locations within the site. Based on the collected data and identified obstacles, the excavation vehicle generates unobstructed routes circumventing the obstacles, obstructed routes traveling through the obstacles, and instructions for removing certain modifiable obstacles. The excavation vehicle determines and selects the shortest route of the unobstructed and obstructed route and navigates over the selected path to move within the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Built Robotics Inc.
    Inventors: Noah Austen Ready-Campbell, Andrew Xiao Liang, Christian John Wawrzonek, Cyrus McMann Ready-Campbell, Gaurav Jitendra Kikani
  • Patent number: 11702091
    Abstract: A drive mode switch control device acquires operation information. The drive mode switch control device switches a drive state among at least an autonomous drive state, a manual drive state, and a coordination drive state. The operation detection unit detects a first operation and a second operation based on the operation information when the drive state is not in the manual drive state. The second operation is the drive operation different from the first operation and input after the input of the first operation. The drive mode switch control device switches the drive state from the autonomous drive state to the coordination drive state based on a detection determination of the first operation. The drive mode switch control device switches the drive state from the coordination drive state to the manual drive state based on a detection determination of the first operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiko Chiba, Asako Nagata, Akihiko Yagyu, Takuya Mori
  • Patent number: 11702323
    Abstract: A lifting gantry device for containers, in particular of the straddle carrier or sprinter carrier type, having four gantry supports spaced apart from one another and which by wheels of the lifting gantry device is floor-based and freely movable. A vehicle controller is provided such that the lifting gantry device can be controlled automatically. A sensor system is also provided and configured to determine sensor data on the surroundings of the lifting gantry device for automatically controlling the lifting gantry device. The sensor system comprises at least two, preferably four, sensor units for contactless object measurement and in particular object recognition, of which one sensor unit each is arranged on one of the four gantry supports and is configured to determine sensor data on the surroundings of the lifting gantry device for object measurement and in particular object recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Klement, Daniel Baselt, Sascha Pollak von Emhofen
  • Patent number: 11702110
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to switching a driving mode of a vehicle. A mode change request from one of a plurality of sources to switch the vehicle from a first driving mode to a second driving mode is received. In response to receiving the mode change request, a status of the vehicle is accessed, and a confirmation request is transmitted to the one of the plurality of sources. Verification of the confirmation request is made, and a driving transition mode is initialized from the first driving mode to the second driving mode based on the status of the vehicle. In response to adhering to safety conditions or safety boundaries within a duration of time, a switching signal is sent to the control system of the vehicle to switch the vehicle from the first driving mode to the second driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIO Technology (Anhui) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo Guo
  • Patent number: 11702085
    Abstract: Vehicle center of gravity (CoG) height and mass estimation techniques utilize a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor configured to emit light pulses and capture reflected light pulses that collectively form LIDAR point cloud data and a controller configured to estimate the CoG height and the mass of the vehicle during a steady-state operating condition of the vehicle by processing the LIDAR point cloud data to identify a ground plane, identifying a height difference between (i) a nominal distance from the LIDAR sensor to the ground plane and (ii) an estimated distance from the LIDAR sensor to the ground plane using the processed LIDAR point cloud data, estimating the vehicle CoG height as a difference between (i) a nominal vehicle CoG height and the height difference, and estimating the vehicle mass based on one of (i) vehicle CoG metrics and (ii) dampening metrics of a suspension of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Ayyoub Rezaeian, Dalong Li
  • Patent number: 11704954
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described that use multiple node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles on a single logistics operation having multiple legs performed by different transport vehicles with enhanced transfer of the item being shipped between such vehicles. A first or primary master node on a first node-enabled autonomous transport vehicle detects a signal from the second master node on a second transport vehicle, navigates to the second transport vehicle based on the detected signal and its direction, and may dock in a transfer configuration. At least one item (or a container with an item) is transferred as payload from the first to the second vehicle using one or more object manipulation systems on respective ones of the first and second transport vehicles. The second vehicle then detects a signal from another node, and navigates to that node as another leg in the multi-leg operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Frank Mayfield, Daniel Gates
  • Patent number: 11699003
    Abstract: A simulation system includes a storage module comprising a plurality of behaviors and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to define an agent for use in a simulation, where the agent comprises one or more of the plurality of behaviors from the storage module and the agent is capable of implementation on a plurality of different simulators, establish a contract with a first simulator and the agent to provide a consistent boundary between the agent and the first simulator, and execute the simulation of a device in a simulation environment with the first simulator and the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Best, Chien-Liang Fok, Sachit P. Vithaldas
  • Patent number: 11699062
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing reward based strategies for promoting exploration that include receiving data associated with an agent environment of an ego agent and a target agent and receiving data associated with a dynamic operation of the ego agent and the target agent within the agent environment. The system and method also include implementing a reward function that is associated with exploration of at least one agent state within the agent environment. The system and method further include training a neural network with a novel unexplored agent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: David Francis Isele
  • Patent number: 11685397
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of autonomous driving, and in particular to methods for updating an autonomous driving system, autonomous driving systems, and on-board apparatuses. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the autonomous driving system, in a manual driving mode, senses the surrounding environment of a vehicle, performs vehicle positioning, and plans a path for autonomous driving for the vehicle. However, the autonomous driving system does not issue an instruction to control the driving of the vehicle. Instead, it compares the path with a path along which a driver drives the vehicle in the manual driving mode to update a planning and control algorithm of the autonomous driving system. As such, the updated autonomous driving system better caters to the driving habits of the driver and improves the driving experience for the driver without compromising the reliability of planning and decision-making of autonomous driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: UISEE TECHNOLOGIES (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gansha Wu, Xin Zhou, Yuxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11688184
    Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer readable medium which monitor a road user in order to move the external position of the vehicle intent notification (eHMI) to another external position that can be seen by the road user based on the gaze direction of the road user. In some aspects, the eHMI notification displays the vehicle intent for a single autonomous vehicle. In another aspect, a group eHMI notification displays the trajectories for a plurality of autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles. Based on the gaze direction of the road user, the eHMI notification can be displayed on a single external position or on multiple external positions. Different eHMI notifications can be displayed at different external positions on the autonomous vehicle to provide information to more than one road user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Austin, Joshua E. Domeyer, John K. Lenneman
  • Patent number: 11686817
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a lidar sensor system is described. A computing system is configured to determine that the lidar sensor system is to update a code that is included in light signals emitted by the lidar sensor system. The computing system transmits a command signal to the lidar sensor system, wherein the command signal causes the lidar sensor system to transition from emitting light signals with a first code therein to emitting light signals with a second code therein, wherein the first code is different from the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Matt Cox, Robert Vets, Peter Megson, Cornelis Jacob Lekkerkerker
  • Patent number: 11687089
    Abstract: Information regarding an obstacle region and information regarding an empty region are optimally updated to minimize an information amount. In the obstacle region, an obstacle exists in space where a mobile body moves. In the empty region, an obstacle does not exist. According to the disclosure, there is provided an environmental information update apparatus including an update unit that updates information regarding an obstacle region and information regarding an empty region, an obstacle existing in space where a mobile body moves in the obstacle region, the obstacle not existing in the empty region, in which the update unit updates the obstacle region, and updates the empty region on the basis of different periods of elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Takahashi, Chao Wang, Dai Kobayashi, Masataka Toyoura
  • Patent number: 11681294
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for prediction of a roadwork zone on at least a second road segment is provided. The method comprises retrieving at least one of map data or first sensor data for at least a first road segment. The method also comprises retrieving ground truth data for at least the first road segment, the ground truth data indicating a true presence or a true absence of a roadwork zone on the at least first road segment. The method further comprises receiving second sensor data associated with the at least second road segment. The method further comprises generating roadwork zone data of the roadwork zone on the at least second road segment, based on the at least one of map data or the first sensor data, the ground truth data, and the second sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Leon Stenneth
  • Patent number: 11679786
    Abstract: An autonomous driving control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a processor that determines whether a current driving condition of the vehicle is a limit situation during an autonomous driving control, performs a demand for control authority transition to a user during the autonomous driving control when the current driving condition is the limit situation, and starts a minimum risk maneuver to transmit a signal for disabling reactivation of the autonomous driving control when control authority is not transferred to the user; and a storage to store a set of instructions and driving condition data to be used by the processor. In particular, the processor demands for engagement of an electronic parking brake device when the vehicle is stopped after the minimum risk maneuver ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hee Kyung Kim, Jin Su Jeong
  • Patent number: 11676236
    Abstract: Vehicles, methods, and computer readable storage media are provided for providing transportation of a gesturing pedestrian by an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle can be operated by identifying that an individual is interested in receiving a transportation. A second vehicle can then receive information about the individual that is interested in receiving the transportation. The first vehicle is then informed regarding the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Jialin Jiao, Jing Zhai, Xiang Yu
  • Patent number: 11673575
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media are configured to perform operations comprising: determining whether a first type of condition associated with an input is satisfied; based at least in part on satisfaction of the first type of condition, generating an estimated value of a parameter associated with operation of a vehicle; and controlling the vehicle based at least in part on the estimated value of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAi, Inc.
    Inventors: Chaozhe He, Xiaoyu Huang
  • Patent number: 11676346
    Abstract: Among other things, an apparatus includes a processor, and storage for instructions executable by the processor to, in connection with a trip of a person in an autonomous vehicle, select a specific location at which the person will be picked up for the trip or a specific location at a destination of the trip, and present through a user interface of a device visible information that depicts the specific location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Hsun-Hsien Chang, Ayman Alalao, Jesse Adam Miller, Harshavardhan Ravichandran
  • Patent number: 11667308
    Abstract: A vehicle is a vehicle on which an autonomous driving kit (ADK) is mountable. The vehicle includes: a vehicle platform (VP) that controls the vehicle in accordance with an instruction from the ADK; and a vehicle control interface that serves as an interface between the ADK and the VP. The VP receives a driver deceleration request in accordance with an amount of depression of a brake pedal by a driver, and receives a system deceleration request from the ADK through the vehicle control interface. During an autonomous mode, the VP specifies the sum of the driver deceleration request and the system deceleration request as a target deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ikuma Suzuki, Yuta Ohashi
  • Patent number: 11669108
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Peloton Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shad Laws, Joshua Switkes, Art Gavrysh, Marc Tange, Mark Herbert, Colleen Twitty, Dean Hogle, Andrew Tamoney, Eric Monsler, Carlos Rosario, Oliver Bayley, Richard Pallo, Louis Donayre, Laurenz Laubinger, Brian Smartt, Joyce Tam, Brian Silverman, Tabitha Jarvis, Murad Bharwani, Steven Erlein, Austin Schuh, Mark Luckevich
  • Patent number: 11667293
    Abstract: A device for controlling travel of a vehicle is provided. The device includes an information acquiring device that acquires vehicle information and vehicle surroundings information and a controller that determines a location of a traveling lane based on the vehicle information and the vehicle surroundings information. The controller then determines a control state for a lane change based on the location of the traveling lane. Thus, the device allows the lane change to be performed safely while obeying the traffic rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Eon Oh, Hoi Won Kim, Doo Jin Um
  • Patent number: 11667307
    Abstract: A method for controlling autonomous driving for an autonomous driving vehicle, includes collecting sensing information on autonomous driving in an autonomous driving mode, calculating an initial longitudinal control value based on the sensing information on the autonomous driving, correcting the initial longitudinal control value based on the sensing information, and performing a longitudinal driving control by transmitting the corrected longitudinal control value to a lower controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong Hoon Kang
  • Patent number: 11670075
    Abstract: An intention of a road user to traverse a passage between a first vehicle and a second vehicle is determined. A required width of the passage is determined based on a nature of the road user. A current width of the passage is determined. Upon determining the current width of the passage is less than the required width of the passage, a drive of at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is actuated to increase the current width of the passage at least to the required width of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 11663918
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved way to avoid or clear a traffic jam. In particular, the disclosure relates to a method for the operation of a vehicle in which at least partial intersection by a dynamic object with a first section of the traffic area occupied by the vehicle is predicted, wherein the vehicle is in a waiting situation waiting for a release for onward travel. Then a trajectory of the vehicle is determined, which at least clears or avoids the intersection by the dynamic object with the first section of the traffic area. Further, the disclosure relates to a device for the operation of a vehicle, a program element and a computer-readable medium with such a program element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Mielenz
  • Patent number: 11656617
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically engaging a remote piloting mode in a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a driver and switching to the remote piloting mode if an unsafe driving condition is detected. The method can include monitoring biometric data. The method can also include monitoring behavioral data using one or more kinds of vehicle sensors. The system and method ensure vehicles are safely driven even if a driver experiences a health episode that could leave them unable to safely operate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bryan J. Osterkamp, Gregory Brian Meyer, Will Kerns Maney, Jr., Ruthie D. Lyle, Deborah Schulz, Sean Carl Mitchem, Timothy Blair Chalmers
  • Patent number: 11656618
    Abstract: An autonomous driving device configured to release the autonomous driving control if an override operation is input during the execution of the autonomous driving control which is based on a first travel plan, set a second travel plan different from the first travel plan after the input of the override operation, determine whether or not to restore the autonomous driving control with the autonomous driving control which is based on the second travel plan after the input of the override operation, and maintain the manual driving and prohibit automatic starting of the autonomous driving control until after a predetermined time elapses after the autonomous driving control is released and when the determination is made not to restore the autonomous driving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihito Sato, Kentaro Ichikawa, Maiko Hirano, Bunyo Okumura
  • Patent number: 11653807
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-cleaning method of a self-moving cleaning robot and a self-moving cleaning robot. The self-moving cleaning robot has both a basic working mode and a self-cleaning mode. When the self-moving cleaning robot needs to perform self-cleaning, the following steps are performed: step 100: controlling the self-moving cleaning robot to enter the self-cleaning mode; step 200: performing, by the self-moving cleaning robot, at least one self-cleaning action; and step 300: when at least one condition for ending the self-cleaning action is met, exiting the self-cleaning mode, the step 100 includes: adjusting parameters related to the operation of the self-moving cleaning robot while substantially maintaining the basic working mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zeheng Tang, Shoumu Wang
  • Patent number: 11650593
    Abstract: A moving method for a self-moving device, and a self-moving device are provided. The method includes: driving the self-moving device to move in a first advancing direction; determining whether the self-moving device can continue to move in the first advancing direction; and controlling the self-moving device to perform a first escape preprocessing operation, if the self-moving device cannot continue to move in the first advancing direction. When the self-moving device is encountered with a raised sill on the ground, the solution provided in the present disclosure enables the self-moving device to effectively cross the raised sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SILVER STAR INTELLIGENT GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Linghui Sui, Lize Lin, Peng Liu
  • Patent number: 11652354
    Abstract: A charging device adapted to charge an automatic moving device includes a case, an electricity supply end, a baffle, an arm below the baffle, a blocking assembly on the arm, and a follower. The automatic moving device includes a driving part and an electricity reception end. The case has an opening. The baffle is pivotally connected to the case to cover or expose the opening. The arm has a fixed end and a free end. The blocking assembly is located at an inner side near the opening and movably located on a rotating path of the baffle. The follower is disposed on the free end. When the driving part approaches the opening, the follower moves away from the driving part to drive the blocking assembly to leave the rotating path. The automatic moving device pushes away the baffle, so that the electricity reception end docks with the electricity supply end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wen-Chang Chuang
  • Patent number: 11648671
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for tracking location of an inspection robot are disclosed. An example apparatus for tracking inspection data may include an inspection chassis having a plurality of inspection sensors configured to interrogate an inspection surface, a first drive module and a second drive module, both coupled to the inspection chassis. The first and second drive module may each include a passive encoder wheel and a non-contact sensor positioned in proximity to the passive encoder wheel, wherein the non-contact sensor provides a movement value corresponding to the first passive encoder wheel. An inspection position circuit may determine a relative position of the inspection chassis in response to the movement values from the first and second drive modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Gecko Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Bryner, Kevin Y. Low, Joshua D. Moore, Dillon R. Jourde, Edwin H. Cho, William J. Pridgen, Domenic P. Rodriguez, Jeffrey J. Mrkonich, Mark Cho, Francesco H. Trogu, Benjamin A. Guise, Todd Joslin, Logan A. MacKenzie, Ian Miller, Alexander C. Watt
  • Patent number: 11650586
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementation of automatic motion planning for an autonomous driving vehicle. Information is obtained with respect to a current location of the autonomous driving vehicle operating in a current vehicle motion, wherein the information is to be used to estimate the operational capability of the autonomous driving vehicle with respect to the current location. Sensor data are obtained, via one or more sensors in one or more media types. A reaction of a passenger present in the vehicle with respect to a current vehicle motion is estimated based on the sensor data. Motion planning is performed based on the information with respect to the current location and the reaction of the passenger to the current vehicle motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, David Wanqian Liu, Timothy Patrick Daly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11643098
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide geolocation based operation of a vehicle by generating a configuration profile for one or more geolocations along a particular route. For each of a plurality of trips a vehicle takes along a route, a set of sensors may be polled at regular intervals as the vehicle travels along the route to obtain vehicle trip data at each interval. The vehicle trip data obtained at each interval may be associated with a geolocation of the vehicle at the interval. For each of the one or more geolocations of the vehicle along the route, a corresponding configuration profile may be generated based on the vehicle trip data associated with the geolocation across the plurality of trips to generate a set of configuration profiles, wherein each of the set of configuration profiles comprises instructions to modify a configuration setting of one or more components of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: DEM TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Damiano Bolzoni, Marco Canevese
  • Patent number: 11643072
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting an object in an environment, determining a probability that the object is a region of particulate matter, and controlling a vehicle based on the probability. The region particulate matter may include steam (e.g., emitted from a man-hole cover, a dryer exhaust port, etc.), exhaust from a vehicle (e.g., car, truck, motorcycle, etc.), dust, environmental gases (e.g., resulting from sublimation, fog, evaporation, etc.), or the like. Based on the associated probability that the object is a region of particulate matter, a vehicle computing system may substantially maintain a vehicle trajectory, modify a trajectory of the vehicle to ensure the vehicle does not impact the object, stop the vehicle, or otherwise control the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle continues to progress in a safe manner. The vehicle controller may continually adjust the trajectory based on additionally acquired sensor data and associated region probabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Beller
  • Patent number: 11643086
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementation of human-like vehicle control for an autonomous vehicle. Information related to a target motion to be achieved by the autonomous vehicle is received, wherein the information includes a current vehicle state of the autonomous vehicle. A first vehicle control signal is generated with respect to the target motion and the given vehicle state in accordance with a vehicle kinematic model. A second vehicle control signal is generated in accordance with a human-like vehicle control model, with respect to the target motion, the given vehicle state, and the first vehicle control signal, wherein the second vehicle control signal modifies the first vehicle control signal to achieve human-like vehicle control behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
    Inventors: Mianwei Zhou, Hao Zheng, David Wanqian Liu
  • Patent number: 11639853
    Abstract: A self-localization estimation unit of a self-localization estimation device determines, based on mutual relationships between the in-lane position and the absolute position including the error, whether there is lane-relevant candidate information, the lane-relevant candidate information representing that one or more in-vehicle positions are each estimated to be in which of lanes identified by the lane information; and estimates, based on a result of the determination of whether there is lane-relevant candidate information, a localization of the own vehicle corresponding to the map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Minamiguchi, Kenji Miyake, Tatsumi Sugiyama, Kazuyoshi Isaji, Minoru Okada, Kenta Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11636840
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a vehicle, an apparatus, a method and a computer program for sharing sound data. The apparatus (10) for sharing sound data from a vehicle (100) comprises one or more interfaces (12) configured to communicate in a mobile communication system (300) and one or more microphones (16) configured to record sound data. The apparatus (10) further comprises a control module (14), which is configured to control the one or more interfaces (12) and the one or more microphones (12). The control module (14) is further configured to record sound samples using the one or more microphones (16), and to communicate information on the sound samples to another vehicle (200) using the one or more interfaces (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Hehn, Joakim Cerwall, Ernst Zielinski, Roman Alieiev, Teodor Buburuzan
  • Patent number: 11634145
    Abstract: This technology relates to dynamically detecting, managing and mitigating driver fatigue in autonomous systems. For instance, interactions of a driver in a vehicle may be monitored to determine a distance or time when primary tasks associated with operation of the vehicle or secondary tasks issued by the vehicle computing were last performed. If primary tasks or secondary tasks are not performed within given distance thresholds or time limits, then one or more secondary tasks are initiated by the computing device of the vehicle. In another instance, potential driver fatigue, driver distraction or overreliance on an automated driving system is detected based on gaze direction or pattern of a driver. For example, a detected gaze direction or pattern may be compared to an expected gaze direction or pattern given the surrounding environment in a vicinity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Keith Hutchings, Julien Mercay, Philip Nemec, Hans-olav CaveLie, Saswat Panigrahi, Renaud-Roland Hubert, Johan Engstrom
  • Patent number: 11634135
    Abstract: A device of the present disclosure controls a vehicle speed of a vehicle such that the vehicle speed matches a set vehicle speed when a preceding vehicle is not detected, and controls the vehicle speed of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows the preceding vehicle when the preceding vehicle is detected. The device controls the vehicle speed of the vehicle assuming that the preceding vehicle is not detected, when a condition that allows the vehicle to overtake the two-wheeled vehicle is satisfied and an intention of a driver to overtake a two-wheeled vehicle is detected, in a case where the two-wheeled vehicle is detected as the preceding vehicle and the vehicle speed is controlled such that the vehicle follows the two-wheeled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Harue Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11635391
    Abstract: Systems and methods for robotic inspection of above-ground pipelines are disclosed. Embodiments may include a robotic crawler having a plurality of motors that are individually controllable for improved positioning on the pipeline to facilitate image acquisition. Embodiments may also include mounting systems to house and carry imaging equipment configured to capture image data simultaneously from a plurality of angles. Such mounting systems may be adjustable to account for different sizes of pipes (e.g., 2-40+ inches), and may be configured to account for traversing various pipe support structures. Still further, mounting systems may include quick-release members to allow for removal and re-mounting of imaging equipment when traversing support structures. In other aspects, embodiments may be directed toward control systems for the robotic crawler which assist in the navigation and image capture capabilities of the crawler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Mistras Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly Morris, Elliott Morris, John Musgrave
  • Patent number: 11635761
    Abstract: An autonomous driving vehicle includes a user detection monitoring device and a start control device. The user detection monitoring device detects a user who got out of the autonomous driving vehicle after the autonomous driving vehicle stopped at a destination as an alighted user and monitors the alighted user. The start control device maintains a stopped state of the autonomous driving vehicle after the alighted user was detected until a start condition is satisfied and, if the start condition is satisfied, permits a start of the autonomous driving vehicle. The start condition is one of a condition indicating that the alighted user at least moves out of a movement determination area around the autonomous driving vehicle and a condition indicating that the alighted user is present in the movement determination area but remains at the same position for a certain period of time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seiji Arakawa
  • Patent number: 11628860
    Abstract: An autonomous driving system includes a normal driving situation determination unit configured to determine whether or not autonomous driving is in a normal driving situation, a driver situation recognition unit configured to recognize a driver situation, a distrust determination unit configured to determine whether or not the driver is in a system distrust state, based on a recognition result obtained by the driver situation recognition unit, and a warning control unit configured to output an alert in accordance with the external environment of the vehicle when the normal driving situation determination unit determines that autonomous driving is in the normal driving situation and the distrust determination unit determines that the driver is in the system distrust state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Iwamoto, Sho Otaki, Hojung Jung, Shintaro Shiba