Course To Intercept Patents (Class 701/302)
  • Patent number: 11673585
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for receiving first data from a first sensor utilizing a first communication protocol, wherein the first sensor is positioned in an aggregation zone, receiving second data from a second sensor utilizing a second communication protocol, wherein the second sensor is positioned in the aggregation zone, processing the first data received from the first sensor and the second data received from the second sensor to conform the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol, and providing instructions based on the processed first data and the processed second data in a third communication protocol, wherein the instructions adjust auxiliary functions of an autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Devin Cass, Katharine Li, Cameron Matzke
  • Patent number: 11574463
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a system and a method. In an example implementation, the system and the method generate, at a first encoder neural network, an encoded representation of image features of an image received from a vehicle sensor of a vehicle. The system and method can also generate, at a second encoder neural network, an encoded representation of map tile features and generate, at the decoder neural network, a semantically segmented map tile based on the encoded representation of image features, the encoded representation of map tile features, and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the vehicle. The semantically segmented map tile includes a location of the vehicle and detected objects depicted within the image with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gaurav Pandey, Nikita Jaipuria, Praveen Narayanan, Punarjay Chakravarty
  • Patent number: 11565807
    Abstract: An exchange network comprising a plurality of exchange stations, in which each of the exchange stations comprises at least one drone operative to function as a flying crane, a temporary storage space, and at least one designated stopping area for on-road vehicles operative to carry cargo. Each of the exchange stations uses the respective local crane-drones to unload cargo from certain vehicles arriving at one of the respective local designated stopping areas, temporary store the cargo, and then load the cargo onboard certain other vehicles arriving at one of the respective local designated stopping areas, thereby exchanging carriers, and thus generating a transport route for the cargo which is the combination of different parts of transport routes of different carriers. The exchange network may use predetermined routes of many scheduled carriers to plan a routing scheme for the cargo, thereby propagating the cargo between exchange stations in a networked fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Gal Zuckerman
  • Patent number: 11480967
    Abstract: Provided are a pass route planning method and apparatus, a device and a readable storage medium. The method includes: obtaining current road environment information in front of a vehicle; determining a current passable area according to the current road environment information; setting pass candidate points in the current passable area; and determining a current optimal passable route according to the pass candidate points. Firstly, the passable area is determined, and then the pass candidate points are set in the passable area, and thus the current optimal passable route is calculated according to the pass candidate points in the passable area, which can effectively reduce a calculation amount of unreachable pass routes in the prior art in which candidate points are set in all areas directly in front of an unmanned vehicle, thereby reducing a calculation amount for planning a pass route and improving a planning speed of the pass route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventors: Fan Yang, Fan Zhu, Weicheng Zhu, Leibing Lv, Lin Ma, Ning Yu, Bei Liu
  • Patent number: 11221626
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to collect additional location-related data. In the context of a method, for example, an entity in motion is identified and a drone is caused to accompany the entity that has been identified and to collect the location-related data while accompanying the entity. After having collected at least some location-related data, the method includes causing the drone to discontinue accompanying of the entity and to travel toward a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL, B.V.
    Inventor: Frank Kozak
  • Patent number: 11073830
    Abstract: A system and method for mission planning and flight automation for an unmanned aircraft comprising generating an aerial imagery map of a capture area; generating a flight plan based on criteria for capturing images used to create a model of a feature present in the images; comparing the generated aerial imagery map with the generated flight plan; determining whether there is a possible collision between an obstacle associated with the generated aerial imagery map and the unmanned aircraft along a flight path of the generated flight plan; and executing, based on the determination, the generated flight plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Lewis, Jeffrey C. Taylor, Corey D. Reed, Troy Tomkinson
  • Patent number: 10976402
    Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform at least detecting, by an unmanned vehicle of a communication network, a radio connection quality degradation at the unmanned vehicle; and in response to the detecting, autonomously directing the unmanned vehicle on a rescue movement path to new geographical coordinates provided by the communication network to maintain or reestablish the radio connection. Further, to perform determining that a radio connection quality degradation is to occur or has occurred at an unmanned vehicle of a communication network; and based on the determining, providing a rescue movement path to new geographical coordinates to the unmanned vehicle for a radio connection quality degradation to maintain or reestablish the radio connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Elena Virtej, Jeroen Wigard, Jari Hulkkonen, Mikko Säily, Istvan Kovacs, Nitin Mangalvedhe
  • Patent number: 10919409
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Invently Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Koebler, Nicole G. Goldstein, Stephen J. Brown, Jason H. Harper
  • Patent number: 10882417
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a power train, a drive train, a solar array, a sensor interface, a storage device and a processing device. The sensor interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of the vehicle. The storage device may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processing device may be configured to (i) analyze the sensor data samples stored in the storage device to detect a pattern, (ii) monitor an amount of solar power converted using the solar array, (iii) determine an energy usage for traveling a route based on the pattern and (iv) adjust an amount of power applied to the power train in response to the energy usage for traveling the route. The amount of power applied to the power train may be adjusted in response to the amount of solar power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Invently Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Koebler, Nicole G. Goldstein, Stephen J. Brown, Jason H. Harper
  • Patent number: 10866065
    Abstract: A drone-assisted ballistic system is provided. The ballistic system may include a plurality of mobile devices, a ballistic computer, and a data interface. Each mobile device may be operable to gather wind data along or adjacent to a flight path of a projectile to a target, each mobile device measuring at least wind speed and wind direction. The ballistic system may include at least one static device operable to gather wind data at or near a launch or firing position. The ballistic computer may be in data communication with the plurality of mobile devices to receive the wind data. The ballistic computer may be configured to calculate a wind compensation value for the projectile based on the wind data. The data interface may be in data communication with the ballistic computer to output the wind compensation value to a user in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 10852101
    Abstract: A communication system for transmitting detected object information items (OI) between two communication partners, comprising: a first communication partner, formed as a target distance measuring device having a communication device and an object detection device, wherein the object detection device detects remote objects and generates an OI describing a respective detected remote object, and the communication device transmits a generated OI to a second communication partner, a second communication partner, formed as a telescopic sight device having a communication device and a display device displaying a visual field which varies depending on the orientation of the telescopic sight device, wherein the communication device is configured to receive OI transmitted by the first communication partner and the display device is configured to display received OI, wherein objects located outside the visual field at a given orientation of the telescopic sight device are displayable marked as outside the visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: STEINER-OPTIK GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Haag, Matthias Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10824171
    Abstract: A launched flying object is configured to continue to transmit a signal to a launching device. The launching device is configured to continue to receive the signal from the launched flying object, continue to calculate a probability when the launched flying object intercepts a target from a distance, a relative velocity and a relative angle between the launched flying object and the target, and output a final interception probability when communication from the launched flying object is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Araki, Kazuhiro Yamada, Keisuke Ando, Yasuhiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 10151597
    Abstract: There is provided a route search apparatus including a measuring unit configured to measure a traveling distance or a traveling time, a position information acquiring unit configured to acquire position information of a current point, a start point registering unit configured to register the position information, which is acquired by the position information acquiring unit when the measuring unit starts the measurement, as position information of a start point, and a route searching unit configured to, if an operation of returning to the start point is detected, search a return route between the current point designated as a departure point when the operation of returning to the start point is detected and the start point designated as a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuo Mutoh
  • Patent number: 10149276
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods for managing antennas on an aerial robotic vehicle used for wireless communications. A processor may receive position information identifying a location of the aerial robotic vehicle, determine whether to switch from using a first antenna to using a second antenna for active communications of the aerial robotic vehicle based on the position information, and switch active communications from using the first antenna to using the second antenna in response to determining that active communications of the aerial robotic vehicle should switch from using the first antenna to using the second antenna. The processor may make the determination using information from a database, which may correlate aerial robotic vehicle position to whether to use a particular one of the first and second antennas for active communications. The determination may also be based on a comparison of signal qualities obtained by both antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Prashanth Akula, Edward Harrison Teague
  • Patent number: 10023051
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a vehicle and a method of controlling the same. The vehicle may be safely controlled by considering a manipulation load amount for manipulating a function of the vehicle when a user manipulates a user interface of the function, thereby providing safer driving of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a storage configured to store information on sizes of manipulation loads for a plurality of user interfaces for using a plurality of functions of the vehicle, and a controller configured to perform safe driving control corresponding to a size of a manipulation load of the a corresponding function from the plurality of functions when the a user interface from the plurality of user interfaces is manipulated to use at least one of the plurality of functions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sung Un Kim
  • Patent number: 9846436
    Abstract: A flight monitoring system comprises a first set of flight-status detecting sensors comprising a first-type sensor A1 for providing a first-type measurement result and a second-type sensor A2 for providing a second-type measurement result; a second set of flight-status detecting sensors comprising a first-type sensor B1 for providing a first-type measurement result and a second-type sensor B2 for providing a second-type measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Zerotech (Shenzhen) Intelligence Robot Co. LTD.
    Inventors: Shuaiqin Wang, Lun Wang, Lin Yang, Jianjun Yang
  • Patent number: 9511878
    Abstract: A system and method for power management aboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to follow a subject based on images captured by an onboard camera includes a power monitor that determines if available power from the UAV's onboard batteries has dropped below predetermined thresholds. If a low power level is detected, the power management system may divert power from non-essential systems to the attitude control system to keeping the UAV aloft. If a critical power level is detected, the power management system may shut down other UAV subsystems so that the attitude control system can safely land the UAV. The power management system may send an alert to a smartphone or other device carried by the subject. Position sensors of the subject's device may be used to interpolate the position of the UAV based on the subject's own position for recovery of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Trace Live Network Inc.
    Inventors: Craig McDermott, Bruce McDonald
  • Patent number: 9494431
    Abstract: Provided is a method for providing update information for a route from a terminal to a destination to the terminal, wherein the destination is designated as location of the third party being moving, which is performed by a server and comprising: receiving location information of the terminal from the terminal; determining whether the location of the third party has been changed; generating update information for the route based on the received location information and the changed location of the third party upon determining that the location of the third party has been changed; and notifying the terminal of the update information according to types of the update information, wherein the location information of the terminal is received when the terminal deviates from or detours around the route, when the terminal enters a specific segment on the route set by the server, or when the terminal moves by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehyuk Choi, Hongbeom Ahn
  • Patent number: 9222754
    Abstract: A precision guided firearm (PGF) includes a trigger assembly and an optical device coupled to the trigger assembly. The optical device includes an optical sensor configured to capture video of a view area and includes at least one motion sensor. The optical device is configured to process video frames of the video to determine a distance between an aim point of the PGF and a selected location on a target and to determine a trajectory of the aim point based on the video frames and motion data from the at least one motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TrackingPoint, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hancock Lupher, Stefanie Kwan, Douglas Ainsworth Scott, Michael Toal
  • Patent number: 9196163
    Abstract: There are provided a driving support apparatus and a driving support method in which the reliability can be improved. In the driving support apparatus, in a traveling direction of the host vehicle and a direction crossing the traveling direction, an intersection where the host vehicle and the moving object cross is predicted; a virtual TTC that it takes for the host vehicle to arrive at the intersection and a virtual TTV that it takes for the moving object to arrive at the intersection when the moving object moves in the direction crossing the traveling direction at a virtual speed which is set virtually, are respectively acquired; and the driving support in the host vehicle is implemented based on the relative relationship between the virtual TTC and the virtual TTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Hayasaka, Masayuki Shimizu, Minami Sato
  • Patent number: 9064022
    Abstract: Identification elements (e.g., tracking elements, tracing elements, locating elements, etc.) (22A, 100) are provided on various communication components (20, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 40, 42, 48, 49, 60, 62, 64, 120) provided within a communication network such as a fiber optic network or a copper network. Fiber optic hubs 20 can be identified and/or managed. Data centers (110) with patch panels (120) can also be identified and/or managed. Example passive identification elements include bar codes (e.g., 2d barcodes) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. In certain embodiments, RFID tags and the bar codes can include network information included therein. In certain embodiments, bar codes can be used to direct technicians to network links at which additional information stored elsewhere is provided. In certain embodiments, identification elements can be provided on communication components through an application downloaded to a mobile device by scanning the bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: ADC Telecommunications, Inc., Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Danny Ghislain Thijs, Didier Claeys, Heidi Bleus
  • Patent number: 9043133
    Abstract: Navigation systems and associated methods for providing navigation services are provided. Information associated with a desired route for a vehicle, such as a route between a current location and a desired destination, may be determined. Additionally, contextual information associated with the vehicle may be identified. Based upon the desired route and the contextual information, a direction may be generated for presentation to one or more users, and the generated direction may be output for presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Barbara Rosario
  • Patent number: 9035803
    Abstract: Gaze based systems and methods are used to aid traffic controllers and/or pilots. A gaze line of an eye of the user viewing the display is tracked using an eyetracker. An intersection of the gaze line of the eye with the display is calculated to provide continuous feedback as to where on the display the user is looking. A trace of the gaze line of the eye is correlated with elements of a situation. The user's awareness of the situation is inferred by verifying that the user has looked at the elements of the situation. In an embodiment, the user is notified of the situation when it is determined that the user has not looked at the elements of the situation for a predetermined period of time. The notification is automatically removed once it is determined that the user has looked at the elements of the situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: LC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dixon Cleveland
  • Patent number: 9019077
    Abstract: Methods and system for predicting a future location of users of wireless communications terminals. Location information indicating respective locations of multiple wireless communication terminals may be received and processed so as to predict a future meeting among respective users of the wireless communication terminals. An action may be taken with respect to the predicted future meeting. The location information may be received from a wireless communication network to obtain a Point-of-Interest (POI) that is related to one or more of the users from a characteristic location profile of the one or more users. The POI may be indicated as the likely location of the future meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Verint Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Gideon Hazzani
  • Patent number: 9008958
    Abstract: Device, system and method, in a vehicle communication system using a first protocol, of implementing a gateway using a distinct second protocol. Embodiments include a first protocol transmitting in a government set vehicle safety band, and a second protocol in the set of: WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular phone and cellular data. An embodiment uses a validity-testing module to prevent insecure messages on the second protocol from interfering with the first protocol. Both one-way and two-way inter-protocol message transfers are described. Embodiments use the gateway to communicate from a vehicle using the first protocol to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equipped animals using the second protocol. Embodiments use a computed and transmitted risk-of-collision value. Embodiments include a driver or operator warning responsive to the transmitted risk value. Embodiments include computation of likely future position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC
    Inventors: Kim T Rubin, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
  • Patent number: 8996304
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes (a) acquiring a tour start location, a tour constraint, and a first user travel preference for a first user; and (b) determining a tour route, including first and second tour segments, based on the tour start location and the tour constraint. The first tour segment is determined based on the first user travel preference. The tour constraint includes a time constraint that is defined by the first user and includes a maximum allowable time for the tour route. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford H. Needham, David A. Cobbley, David A. Sandage, Matthew D. Wood
  • Patent number: 8996197
    Abstract: Apparatus for a vehicle operated on a roadway having lane markers includes an optical sensor providing optical data of the roadway. A first lane model is stored in an electronic memory in response to detected lane markers in the optical data. An electronic horizon system tracks a position of the vehicle and provides roadway data in response to the position. A second lane model is stored in the electronic memory in response to the roadway data. A confidence checker compares a discrepancy between the first and second lane models to a threshold in order to determine a confidence level. An output selector selects the first lane model when lane markers are detected in the optical data, and selects the second lane model if the lane markers are not detected in the optical data and the confidence level is greater than a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Joh, Thomas E. Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Dorian Jack Spero, Brian Wolski
  • Patent number: 8990002
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided to permit an aerial asset to determine its current location and to, in turn, locate and track a target even as efforts are made by others to jam or otherwise hinder offboard communications that may prevent reliance upon GPS or other positioning systems. A method includes receiving, at a navigation control vehicle, information regarding the relative position of a target with respect to each of the at least two sonobuoys. The method also determines a relative position of the target with respect to the navigation control vehicle at least partially based on the information regarding the relative position of the target with respect to each of the at least two sonobuoys. The method provides information regarding the relative position of the target to an aerial asset to facilitate location of the target by the aerial asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James V. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8977428
    Abstract: A GPS and a map information database acquire information regarding an arrow light which displays a signal for prohibiting travel in a particular direction, such as a red arrow light. A display and a loudspeaker supply information to a motorist of a host vehicle based on the information acquired by the GPS and the map information database, or a brake ECU and a brake actuator brake the host vehicle without depending on the manipulation by the motorist based on the information acquired by the GPS and the map information database. As a result, it is possible to correctly support driving even when a red arrow light or the like for prohibiting travel in a right turn direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Endo, Yuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 8972092
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling an unmanned autonomous operating vehicle having an electric motor supplied with power from a battery for operating an operating machine, and magnetic sensors for detecting intensity of a magnetic field of an area wire and controlled to run about in an operating area defined by the area wire through wheels driven by the prime movers to perform an operation using the operating machine and to return to a charging device installed on the area wire so as to charge the battery, there is provided with a turn-back portion formed by bending the area wire at an appropriate position and again bending the area wire to return in a same direction with a predetermined space so as to divide the operating area into a plurality of parts and vehicle running is controlled to be prohibited from going across the turn-back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamamura, Toshiaki Kawakami, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Ryuichi Kimata
  • Patent number: 8948929
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to a method of managing and controlling vehicles for safe driving. In the method, at least one virtual zone may be defined based on information collected from a plurality of vehicles in motion and related servers in real time. Vehicles may be grouped into at least one vehicle groups according to a predetermined similarity condition based on the collected information. An abnormal driving pattern model may be generated based on a driving pattern of each vehicle in each vehicle group. At least one area of a virtual zone may be designated as a spot when at least one vehicle having a driving pattern matched with the abnormal driving pattern model in the at least one area. Safe driving information may be transmitted to at least one vehicle having driving patterns matched with attributes of the spot among vehicles entering each virtual zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: KT Corporation
    Inventors: Young-Sam Chun, Han-Lim Kim, Jin-Woo Baek, Jae-Won Choi
  • Patent number: 8935052
    Abstract: In a method for controlling at least one door of a vehicle, a movement of a mobile identification signal generator, assigned to the vehicle, relative to the vehicle is sensed as a function of time. A future position of the mobile identification signal generator is estimated at a future time based on the position, the speed of movement and the direction of movement of the mobile identification signal generator at the current time, and furthermore an unlocking condition is detected if the future position of the mobile identification signal generator is within a predetermined range. Finally, the at least one door is unlocked and/or opened based on the unlocking condition. As a result of the estimation of the position of an identification signal generator with respect to a next position measuring point, the reaction time and the susceptibility to faults of an access arrangement can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hermann
  • Patent number: 8924140
    Abstract: An external environment recognition device for a vehicle and a vehicle system capable of assuring safety and reducing the processing load in a compatible manner are provided. An external environment recognition device 100 for a vehicle includes: first collision determination means 103 for computing a risk of collision of a host vehicle with a detected object in front of the host vehicle on the basis of information of a predicted course of the host vehicle and the detected object; and second collision determination means 104 for determining whether the detected object enters the predicted course from the outside of the predicted course or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Kazutoshi Tsuchiya, Takehito Ogata
  • Patent number: 8907813
    Abstract: A traffic accident prevention service provides a method for improving traffic safety by using beacons. Each vehicle participating in the traffic accident prevention service includes a system for determining the speed of the vehicle, and a terminal connected to the system that has access to a wireless access network. Positioning beacons are located at different points of the road network and communicate via radio with the vehicles circulating close to them. The network warns the terminal of the safety parameters by knowing the position of the vehicle when it passes close to a beacon so that the driver can take appropriate actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
    Inventors: Guillermo Cajigas Bringas, José Carlos Sendra Alcina, Miguel Angel Touset Rios
  • Patent number: 8892348
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for aircraft conflict detection and resolution are proposed. Embodiments of the present invention detect potential conflicts without a predetermined look-ahead time threshold and determine the time for issuing resolution alerts dynamically based on the relative movements of the aircraft. A method embodiment for detecting a potential airborne conflict between an ownship and at least one intruder includes, determining a relative motion trajectory of the ownship and the intruder, generating a plurality of resolution advisories based upon the determined relative motion trajectory and corresponding to respective motion dimensions of the ownship, determining an alert time for each of the plurality of RAs responsive to the corresponding motion dimension and the determined relative motion trajectory, and transmitting at least one of the plurality of RAs to at least one of the ownship or an aircraft control entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Mitre Corporation
    Inventor: Roxaneh Chamlou
  • Patent number: 8886450
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for identifying maneuvers for a vehicle in conflict situations. A plurality of miss points are calculated for the vehicle and as well as object conditions at which the vehicle will miss an impact with the at least one other object by a range of miss distances. The miss points are displayed such that a plurality of miss points at which the vehicle would miss impact by a given miss distance indicative of a given degree of conflict is visually distinguishable from other miss points at which the vehicle would miss impact by greater miss distances indicative of a lesser degree of conflict. The resulting display indicates varying degrees of potential conflict to present, in a directional view display, a range of available maneuvers for the vehicle in accordance with varying degrees of conflict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: David John Gates, Elliot Ashley Gates, Mark Westcott, Neale Leslie Fulton
  • Patent number: 8885039
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation apparatus including a transceiver configured to communicate with at least one other vehicle near a vehicle including the vehicle navigation apparatus and configured to receive traveling information about the at least one other vehicle, a controller configured to calculate first movement information of the vehicle and second movement information of the at least one other vehicle based on the received traveling information, and a display unit configured to display a graphical representation of the vehicle and the at least one other vehicle based on the calculated movement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junyoung Jang, Sangyong Park
  • Patent number: 8874267
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to detecting and avoiding blind spots of other vehicles when maneuvering an autonomous vehicle. Blind spots may include both areas adjacent to another vehicle in which the driver of that vehicle would be unable to identify another object as well as areas that a second driver in a second vehicle may be uncomfortable driving. In one example, a computer of the autonomous vehicle may identify objects that may be relevant for blind spot detecting and may determine the blind spots for these other vehicles. The computer may predict the future locations of the autonomous vehicle and the identified vehicles to determine whether the autonomous vehicle would drive in any of the determined blind spots. If so, the autonomous driving system may adjust its speed to avoid or limit the autonomous vehicle's time in any of the blind spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Dolgov, Christopher Paul Urmson
  • Patent number: 8874359
    Abstract: A technique for avoiding collisions between trains includes equipping a plurality of trains each with a transceiver and broadcasting a signal periodically from the transceiver of each train. The signal contains a unique identification of a respective train and a unique identification of a track the respective train is moving on. The transceiver of each train receives the signal broadcasted by each of the other trains within a given range. The received signals are analyzed to extract the unique identification of each other train and the unique identification of the track each other train is moving on. It is determined if the track of the train receiving the signal and any of each other trains within the given range is the same and providing an indication if the track of the recipient train and any of other train within the range is the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Antony Louis Piriyakumar Douglas, Deepa Felix, Denny Joseph
  • Patent number: 8868324
    Abstract: The relative position of one vehicle vs. another vehicle, both driving in a vehicular environment, is determined using vehicular communications based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The relative position determination is performed in a measuring vehicle using data provided by a measured vehicle through IEEE 802.11 communications carried through beacons as well as GPS or other location data and local map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AutoTalks Ltd.
    Inventor: Onn Haran
  • Patent number: 8862326
    Abstract: In a vehicle travel assisting device, a vehicle speed, a yaw rate, a traveling lane of an own vehicle, and a position of a leading vehicle are detected. Target travel coordinates of the own vehicle are calculated, based on the traveling lane and the position of the leading vehicle A travel path curvature of a target travel coordinate group is estimated, based on information related to the target travel coordinate group. A steering quantity to be steered in advance by the own vehicle is calculated, based on the currently estimated travel path curvature. A weight for each of the target travel coordinates for estimating the travel path curvature is adjusted based on the vehicle speed, the yaw rate and the previously estimated travel path curvature. Steering control is performed such that the own vehicle travels so as to follow the estimated travel path curvature, based on the calculated steering quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Tsuruta, Yusuke Ueda, Takeshi Hatoh, Takayuki Kondoh, Naoya Inoue
  • Patent number: 8862381
    Abstract: An air navigation obstacle reporting and notification system for providing a centralized obstruction notification system to aircraft pilots regarding unreported and/or unmarked obstructions. The air navigation obstacle reporting and notification system generally includes a plurality of users that enter obstacle data into a control server via a global computer network which are uploaded to and broadcast by a satellite unit. Navigation receivers within the aircraft receive the updated obstruction data and match this data with navigation data (e.g. GPS) to determine if the aircraft heading and altitude will result in a potential collision with an obstacle. If a potential collision risk exists, the pilot is notified visually and audibly by the navigation receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Kent S. Ridl
  • Patent number: 8849515
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for assisting a driver in avoiding a collision between a host vehicle and obstacle. A processor recursively calculates a time-to-collision with the obstacle and an optimal collision avoidance path for avoiding the collision. The optimum collision avoidance path is recursively generated based on a position and speed of the host vehicle relative to the obstacle and an updated calculated time-to-collision. A sensing device determines whether the driver of the vehicle has initiated a steering maneuver to avoid the obstacle. A steering assist mechanism maintains the host vehicle along the optimum collision avoidance path. The steering assist mechanism applies a steering assist torque for producing steering adjustments to assist in guiding the host vehicle along the optimum collision avoidance path to the target lane. The steering assist torque generated by the steering assist mechanism is recursively adjusted based on a recent updated optimum collision avoidance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Chad T. Zagorski, Aamrapali Chatterjee
  • Publication number: 20140288813
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for collision targeting for an unoccupied flying vehicle (UFV). For certain example embodiments, at least one machine, such as a UFV, may: (i) ascertain at least one target for at least one collision to include a UFV; or (ii) execute at least one maneuver to divert a UFV at least toward at least one target to induce at least one collision to include the UFV and the at least one target. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventor: Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware
  • Patent number: 8843286
    Abstract: A vehicle driving force suppression device is provided, and driving force suppression is conducted on the basis of existence of an obstacle which is on the opposite course to the selected shift position. Adding specific conditions related to acceleration pedal depression amount and speed, inclination of the road in the direction which an obstacle exists, or distance to the obstacle, magnitude of driving force suppression is decided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tezuka, Rikio Kenmochi
  • Patent number: 8838371
    Abstract: There is a driving assisting apparatus capable of reducing a feeling of discomfort of a driver by respecting the driver's operation as much as possible in a range where an obstacle can be reliably avoided by intervention control. An ECU 2 of a driving assisting apparatus 1 includes an obstacle detecting section 22, a control course calculating section 23, a determination section 24, and an intervention control executing section 25. The obstacle detecting section 22 detects an obstacle region around a vehicle. The control course calculating section 23 calculates an intervention control course, which can be taken by the vehicle, when the intervention control is executed after the driver's operation is allowed for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Sakai, Toshiki Kindo
  • Patent number: 8827815
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using geographic information in connection with sporting activities. Sensors may be attached to users and/or clothing to generate performance data. The data, along location data, may be transmitted to a server. The server may maintain leader boards for users and locations and allow users to search for other users and locations of sporting activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon S. Burroughs, Mark Adam Starkey
  • Patent number: 8830085
    Abstract: Approaches for monitoring traffic signal preemption at one or more intersections. According to one embodiment, a road map that includes a plurality of roads and intersections is displayed with a computer system. Preemption data periodically received by the computer system from at least one preemption controller at a respective intersection is used to update the road map. In response to the preemption data, the road map is updated to include a traffic signal icon at the respective intersection and a vehicle icon at a location on the map corresponding to a location of a vehicle transmitting a preemption request as indicated by the preemption data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Global Traffic Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David John Edwardson, David R. Johnson, Kevin Clare Eichhorst, Patrick Keenan Cosgrove, Nicole Maria Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20140249741
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for collision targeting for hazard handling. For certain example embodiments, at least one machine, such as a base station, may: (i) ascertain at least one target for at least one collision to include an unoccupied flying vehicle (UFV); or (ii) transmit at least one command to execute at least one maneuver to divert a UFV at least toward at least one target to induce at least one collision to include the UFV and the at least one target. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventor: Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware
  • Patent number: 8825368
    Abstract: A method and system for searching for items is provided. The method includes receiving, from a user, description data describing search requirements associated with a requested physical object to be located. Locations of the user are monitored and a request to locate the physical object is transmitted to video data retrieval devices. In response, video data associated with associated physical objects and location data for associated locations are retrieved. Distances and relative velocities between current locations of the user and each location of each physical object are calculated. In response, recommendations associated with traveling to view each physical object are generated and presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit