Course To Intercept Patents (Class 701/302)
  • Patent number: 8412450
    Abstract: A method for allowing accurate navigation to a target regardless of GPS jamming levels. A method to update the navigation solution of an object being navigated toward a target based upon seeker measurements in at least one of three electromagnetic frequency domains: infrared, visible, and radio frequency (RF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Huebner, Sam Ghaleb
  • Patent number: 8401784
    Abstract: A course evaluation that evaluates a course of a mobile unit includes: generating a predetermined first course of the mobile unit; generating, for the first course, a second course for which a controlled amount of the mobile unit after a predetermined driving condition is satisfied is increased as compared with a controlled amount of the mobile unit on the first course; estimating another object course, which is a course of another object; determining whether the second course interferes with the other object course; and evaluating a degree of safety of the first course on the basis of a result of determination as to whether the second course interferes with the other object course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Kindo, Kazuaki Aso, Katsuhiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 8390440
    Abstract: A method for displaying a visual warning signal to warn a driver of a vehicle about a traffic situation that is determined to be critical. The visual warning signal displayed to the driver is based on sensor data furnished by at least one sensor unit that determines a line of sight of the driver. A display unit for displaying the visual warning signal is selected from a group of at least two separately controllable display units depending on the line of sight of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Krautter, Michael Dambier, Maria Rimini-Doering, Dietrich Manstetten
  • Patent number: 8386119
    Abstract: A vehicle driving operation support apparatus for a vehicle, includes a sensing section to sense a traveling condition of the vehicle including a surrounding condition inclusive of an obstacle around the vehicle, and a control section to calculate a risk potential for the vehicle in accordance with the traveling condition. The control section performs a support control to support the driver in accordance with the risk potential, and performs an assist control to restrain disturbance (such as vibration from a road) transmitted to the driver in accordance with the risk potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kobayashi, Yoshifumi Takigawa, Toshiyuki Murata, Satoshi Tange, Tomoaki Oida, Taku Suzuki, Yuwun Chai, Motoaki Hosaka, Hironobu Kikuchi, Takeshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8386099
    Abstract: A method of determining an orbit of an orbital object includes computing predicted tracking measurement values based on the orbit computed from the initial conditions factoring in any modeled environmental forces and realistic maneuvers; computing the differences between the actual and predicted tracking measurements; determining an improved estimate of the initial conditions that reduces the measurement errors using a minimization or root finding algorithm; after the algorithm has converged, reviewing the hypothetical maneuvers in the force model, taking each value and determining which values came up as near-zero in the minimized solutions and which values came up as those of measurable thrust; determining overall burn duration using the first and last burn times; determining the thrust profile of the orbital object over the observation period using the integrated thrust values; and determining the actual maneuver based on the observation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Defense Solutions
    Inventors: John Paul Carrico, Jr., Timothy Adam Craychee, Henry Casmir Grabowski, III
  • Patent number: 8380425
    Abstract: Autonomous collision avoidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed. Systems illustratively include a detect and track module, an inertial navigation system, and an auto avoidance module. The detect and track module senses a potential object of collision and generates a moving object track for the potential object of collision. The inertial navigation system provides information indicative of a position and a velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module receives the moving object track for the potential object of collision and the information indicative of the position and the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module utilizes the information to generate a guidance maneuver that facilitates the unmanned aerial vehicle avoiding the potential object of collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: L-3 Unmanned Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Craig S. Askew
  • Publication number: 20130035823
    Abstract: A power transmission reception system for pairing a charge-requesting vehicle with a discharge-requesting vehicle for power transmission reception therebetween includes an extraction device and a transmitter. From each vehicle, a center acquire information about a present location, a traveling direction, and a destination point, and records the acquired information in a database while classifying the vehicle as the charge-requesting vehicle or the discharge-requesting vehicle. The extraction device extracts the charge-requesting vehicle and the discharge-requesting vehicle that are to simultaneously travel in a same area as paired vehicles in accordance with the information in the database. The transmitter generates information about a power transmission reception area and a partner vehicle in the power transmission reception, and transmits the generated information to the paired vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ichiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8362877
    Abstract: A location localization method and system. The method includes transmitting by an RFID tag reader, a request for locating a passive RFID tag in a facility. The RFID tag reader receives from active RFID tags, a first date/time associated with first data. The RFID tag reader transmits to the active RFID tags, a request for retrieving the first data. The first data comprises distances between each active RFID tag and the passive RFID tag. The RFID tag reader receives the first data. The RFID tag reader receives a map of the facility and locations on the map for the active RFID tags. The RFID tag reader determines a location within the facility for the passive RFID tag based on the first data, the map, and the locations on the map. The RFID tag reader transmits the first location to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Bauchot, Jean-Yves Clement, Gerard Marmigere, Joaquin Picon
  • Patent number: 8364394
    Abstract: A first convergent computation section 25 for deriving a running locus by a convergent computation such as to achieve a first constraint condition based on a target passing time ts and a road boundary of a road D and a running locus deriving section 26 for deriving a running locus by a convergent computation of an evaluation function J3 for preferring a predetermined driving condition in a state achieving the first constraint condition are provided, a running locus is convergently computed such as to satisfy the first constraint condition set according to the target passing time ts and the road boundary of the road D, and a running locus is derived by convergently computing an evaluation function J3 for preferring a predetermined driving condition in a state satisfying the first constraint condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8359155
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a vehicle driving operation support system. The vehicle driving operation support system senses an environment surrounding the motor vehicle; senses a traveling condition of the motor vehicle; calculates a risk potential of the motor vehicle on a basis of the sensed environment and the sensed traveling condition; controls the motor vehicle on a basis of a control setpoint. The vehicle driving operation support system sets on a basis of the calculated risk potential the control setpoint to a provisional setpoint effective for reducing the risk potential; senses driver's operation in reaction to the controlling operation with the control setpoint set to the provisional setpoint; and sets the control setpoint to a normal setpoint on a basis of the sensed driver's operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito, Tomohiro Yamamura, Satoshi Tange, Taku Suzuki, Yosuke Kobayashi, Toshiyuki Murata, Tomoyuki Kashiwaya, Yuya Takeda
  • Patent number: 8326481
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between a host vehicle and a preceding obstacle. Then, the system performs a driver notification operation that produces a driver notification stimulus based on the risk potential such as decreasing the driving force exerted against the vehicle as the risk potential increases and increasing an actuation reaction force exerted on the accelerator pedal during its operation as the risk potential increases. If a failure is detected in a reaction force generating device serving to add a reaction force to the accelerator pedal in accordance with the risk potential, then the system corrects an engine torque characteristic such that the engine torque does not increase even if the accelerator pedal is depressed to suppress an odd feeling in the vehicle performance by the driver when a failure occurs in the reaction force generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Yosuke Kobayashi, Yukinori Nishida
  • Patent number: 8310353
    Abstract: A warning system for conveying alerts and information relating to a vehicle blind spot and objects detected therein, is disclosed. The system conveys an assortment of information through a single light emitting indicator. Also disclosed are various methods of indicating the advisability of lane changes, and modes of configuring the indicator and an associated sensing system and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Hinninger, Makoto Murata, Masahito Shingyoji, Fumie Nakamura, Yasuhiko Fujita
  • Patent number: 8290698
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus including an object detector, a yaw-rate detector, a vehicle speed detector, a movement path estimator, a preceding vehicle assignment device, a travel controller, a still object determination device, and a stable-movement-state determination device, wherein the preceding vehicle assignment device avoids assigning the object as the preceding vehicle, or assigns the object as the preceding vehicle after waiting for a predetermined time, when: the present vehicle performs the follow-travel control targeting the preceding vehicle; the object detected at a position between the preceding vehicle and the present vehicle is determined to be the still object by the still object determination device; and the present vehicle is determined to be in the stable-movement-state by the stable-movement-state determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichiro Sawamoto
  • Patent number: 8280560
    Abstract: An adaptive vehicle control system that classifies a drivers driving style based on vehicle headway control. The system reads sensor signals to identify the range and range rate between a subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle, where the range rate is close to zero if the distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle is relatively steady, the range rate is negative when the subject vehicle is closing in on the preceding vehicle and the range rate is positive when the subject vehicle is falling behind the preceding vehicle. The range rate, the subject vehicle speed and other signals are used to classify the drivers driving style based on how fast the subject vehicle closes in on the preceding vehicle or falls behind, and the following distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The system can then classify the headway-control maneuver using selected discriminant features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jihua Huang, William C. Lin, Yuen-Kwok Chin
  • Patent number: 8275493
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for launching and recovering an unmanned, water-born vehicle (UWBV) from a mother ship. The UWBV mimics the behavior of dolphins and is positioned ahead of the ship in preparation for bow riding. The UWBV uses a guidance system to position and keep in the bow wave. A high-frequency (HF) sonar transceiver array aboard the ship computes and sends course corrections to maintain the UWBV within the bow wave. The frequency range of the HF array can be 100 kHz or higher due to the short distance between the ship and the UWBV. Accordingly, the HF array can have a small aperture allowing for accurate bearing resolution. Course corrections can be sent on a near-continuous basis such that changes in thrust and rudder angle can be minimized to allow for accurate control of the UWBV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony A. Ruffa
  • Publication number: 20120239584
    Abstract: Turn-by-turn directions can guide a user to a dynamic destination, such as a person or a rendezvous location. The turn-by-turn directions enable one user to follow another or, alternatively, multiple people to rendezvous with each other. The selection can be via identifiers used in network contexts, such as social networking Individuals can select the circumstances under which their location can be revealed. Turn-by-turn directions enabling following utilize anticipated locations or predictions of likely destinations based on historical and contextual information. Turn-by-turn directions enabling rendezvous reference a rendezvous location, which is either the same for all users, or which differs among them. Also, the directions can reference intermediate, “staging”, locations from which further intermediate, or ultimate, destinations can be routed to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eran Yariv, Gur Kimchi, Barney Darryl Pell, Yair E. Gheva, Brian Beckman, Elad Ben-Israel
  • Patent number: 8260538
    Abstract: The vehicle-use collision mitigation apparatus includes a function of calculating a TTC indicative of a time remaining before collision with a forward obstacle on the basis of the distance to this obstacle and the reference speed therebetween, a function of alarming a driver of the vehicle of presence of a risk of collision with the obstacle if the TTC is shorter than a predetermined first time, a function of increasing a braking force generated by a braking operation performed by the driver if the TTC is shorter than a predetermined second time not longer than the predetermined first time, and a function of automatically generating a braking force if the TTC is shorter than a predetermined third time shorter than the predetermined first time. The alarming function is configured to make an alarm for a driver of a following vehicle that the preceding vehicle may decelerate abruptly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Noda, Yosuke Ito, Kazuma Hashimoto, Akira Isogai
  • Patent number: 8239084
    Abstract: A moving device (70) determines an obstacle virtual existence region (72) of a simple graphic approximating a detected obstacle (71) to detect the obstacle (71) in a real time and determine a smooth avoidance path by calculation, thereby performing collision prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenjiro Yamamoto, Saku Egawa, Takashi Tsubouchi, Jae Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8212514
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and an option board coupled to the control board via a serial interface, wherein the option board includes a configurable data transfer rate. A method of operating a motor drive that includes configuring a transfer rate of an option board coupled to a control board via a serial interface. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, John Howard Stuedemann, John Michael Keller
  • Patent number: 8207820
    Abstract: A location localization method and system. The method includes transmitting by an RFID tag reader, a request for locating a passive RFID tag in a facility. The RFID tag reader receives from a first group of active RFID tags, a first date/time associated with first data. The RFID tag reader transmits to the first group of active RFID tags, a request for retrieving the first data. The first data comprises distances between each active RFID tag of the first group and the passive RFID tag. The RFID tag reader receives the first data. The RFID tag reader receives a map of the facility and locations on the map for the first group of active RFID tags. The RFID tag reader determines a location within the facility for the passive RFID tag based on the first data, the map, and the locations on the map. The RFID tag reader transmits the first location to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Bauchot, Jean-Yves Clement, Gerard Marmigere, Joaquin Picon
  • Patent number: 8204642
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus that performs accurate driving assistance in accordance with actual road environment is provided. An electronic control unit (ECU) acquires shape information and vehicular swept path information about a subject vehicle and a nearby vehicle, representing vehicles and movement thereof as rectangular solids. A three-dimensional space is formed as a vehicular swept path for the rectangular solid and a road map generated based on the formed three-dimensional space. A notification is provided if the subject vehicle runs outside a space. Control support is provided to return the subject vehicle to an area indicated as safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tanaka, Tadashi Kamada
  • Patent number: 8200416
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a displaying a moving map display for an aircraft is provided. The method includes determining a route of intended travel of the aircraft on the moving map display, determining a rank of relative importance of a plurality of aeronautical symbols displayed on the moving map display based on the determined route of intended travel, and de-emphasizing at least one navigation symbol with the moving map display based on the at least one navigation symbol determined rank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sven D. Aspen
  • Patent number: 8190308
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting a risk of collision of an aircraft, having a profile unit having knowledge of the terrain profile, a determination unit for determining effective values of particular flight parameters, a checking unit for verifying whether a flight path determined by the effective values is compatible with the terrain profile, and a transmitting unit for emitting a warning signal in case of incompatibility. The checking unit includes at least one element for calculating a height variation due to an energy transfer and a total slope variation generated by a speed reduction, during an evasive action, an element deter mining an evasive course using the height variation, and an element verifying whether the evasive course determined is compatible with the terrain profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Fabien Pitard, Jean-Pierre Demortier, Florence Aubry
  • Patent number: 8190364
    Abstract: A method for providing real-time, towed implement compensation comprises dynamically calculating an implement offset relative to a targeted track for an implement located at a first implement location. Based on the calculated implement offset, a vehicle offset is dynamically calculated relative to the targeted track for a vehicle located at a first vehicle location. The method further includes dynamically calculating a modified vehicle offset relative to the targeted track based on the calculated vehicle offset and based on a dynamically-calculated vehicle lateral error. The method further includes dynamically providing a steering control signal based on the calculated modified vehicle offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Andrew Karl Wihelm Rekow
  • Patent number: 8184859
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a technique to correctly recognize road markings by a simple processing. This road marking recognition method: obtaining image data of a road, and storing the image data into an image data storage; detecting a first road marking in the image data stored in the image data storage, and storing position data of the first road marking into a storage; detecting a second road marking in the image data stored in the image data storage, and storing position data of the second road marking into a storage; judging based on the position data stored in the storage, whether or not a predefined proper mutual positional relationship between the first and second road markings is established; and evaluating a confidence degree for the detection result of the first and second road markings by using a result of the judging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Jou Tanji
  • Patent number: 8174447
    Abstract: An apparatus for localizing a position on a path, radio signals of fixedly positioned radio transmitters being receivable along the path, the apparatus including a determiner for determining properties of the radio signals of the fixedly positioned radio transmitters at the position, and a comparator for comparing the determined electromagnetic properties with previously recorded properties which characterize a reference path, and for determining a relation between the position and the reference path on the basis of a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Karin Loidl, Steffen Meyer, Juergen Hupp
  • Patent number: 8175902
    Abstract: An input situation can be represented by at least a first context variable. Data that includes interest values for multiple context variables can be provided and obtained. The obtained data can include a first data pertaining to the input situation and a second data pertaining to one or more other situations. It can be determined whether the first context variable is associated with a discrete range of values or a continuous range of values. At least a portion of data pertaining to the situations can be determined to be proximate data when the first context variable is associated with a continuous range of values. Based on the input situation and the proximate data, an interest value for the first input situation can be determined as a prediction of the interest in the input situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Song, Sangoh Jeong, Doreen Cheng, Swaroop S. Kalasapur
  • Patent number: 8170739
    Abstract: A system for providing path generation for automated lane centering and/or lane changing purposes. The system includes a desired path generation processor that receives signals detecting the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, a request for a lane change, vehicle state information and a steering angle of the vehicle. The system also includes a path prediction processor that predicts the vehicle path based on vehicle state information including vehicle longitudinal speed, vehicle lateral speed, vehicle yaw-rate and vehicle steering angle. The desired path information and the predicted path information are compared to generate an error signal that is sent to a lane change controller that provides a steering angle signal to turn the vehicle and reduce the error signal. The desired path generation processor can use a fifth order polynomial equation to determine the desired path of the vehicle based on the input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8165797
    Abstract: In a vehicular control object determination system, locus correlation degree calculator calculates a degree of correlation between a future travel locus of a vehicle estimated by first travel locus estimator based on a vehicle speed and a yaw rate and a future travel locus of the vehicle estimated by second travel locus estimator based on a past travel locus of the vehicle calculated by travel locus calculator. When control object determiner determines a control object based on the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator and predetermined control object determination conditions, the control object determination conditions are modified according to the degree of correlation, that is, the degree of reliability of the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator, thereby achieving both accuracy with which the control object is determined and determination of the control object at a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiichiro Sawamoto, Shigeru Inoue, Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 8160755
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for displaying aircraft symbology. The method includes displaying (302, 502, 702, 902, 1002) a symbol (202) for a first aircraft in a predetermined format, processing (304, 504, 704, 904, 1004) data related to flight conditions of the first aircraft and a second aircraft, determining (306, 506, 706, 906, 1006) a format for the display of the second aircraft based on the processed data, and displaying (308, 508, 708, 908, 1008) a symbol (212, 214, 216, 412, 416, 612, 614, 616, 812, 814, 816) for the second aircraft in accordance with the determined format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Nichols, John G. Suddreth
  • Patent number: 8140251
    Abstract: A computer controlled system for managing traffic signals at the intersection of at least two traffic lanes to avoid collisions between motor vehicles in intersecting lanes. An implementation with means for controlling traffic signals at the intersection to permit vehicles in each of the intersecting traffic lanes a time period to pass through the intersection, means for detecting the presence of a vehicle in the intersection beyond said permitted time period, and means responsive to a detection of the presence of the vehicle, for controlling the traffic signals to stop other vehicles from passing through the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A Paolini, Yvonne P Stoetzel, Cristi N Ullmann
  • Patent number: 8126609
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between a host vehicle and a preceding obstacle. Then, the system performs a driver notification operation that produces a driver notification stimulus based on the risk potential such as decreasing the driving force exerted against the vehicle as the risk potential increases and increasing an actuation reaction force exerted on the accelerator pedal during its operation as the risk potential increases. If a failure is detected in a reaction force generating device serving to add a reaction force to the accelerator pedal in accordance with the risk potential, then the system corrects an engine torque characteristic such that the engine torque does not increase even if the accelerator pedal is depressed to suppress an odd feeling in the vehicle performance by the driver when a failure occurs in the reaction force generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Yosuke Kobayashi, Yukinori Nishida
  • Patent number: 8121786
    Abstract: The invention has as its object to determine a risk of collision on the ground between an aircraft and another object. The aircraft comprises at least one proximity detector and a communication system suitable for setting up a communication among several points, at least one of the points being able to be external to the aircraft. After having received at least one indication from the proximity detector relating to the presence of an object, a signal representing an acoustic alarm linked to the detection of the object is generated then transmitted to the warning system. A comparison advantageously is made between the indication received from the proximity detector and certain parameters of the aircraft, the signal representing an acoustic alarm linked to the detection of the object being generated in response to the result of this comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Joao Morbey, Mathieu Landman, Michel Colin
  • Patent number: 8112220
    Abstract: A computer controlled system for managing traffic signals at the intersection of at least two traffic lanes to avoid collisions between motor vehicles in intersecting lanes. An implementation for controlling traffic signals at the intersection to permit vehicles in each of the intersection traffic lanes a time period to pass through the intersection, detecting the presence of a vehicle in the intersection beyond the permitted time period, and responsive to a detection of the presence of the vehicle, controlling the traffic signals to stop other vehicles from passing through the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Paolini, Yvenne Patrice Stoetzel, Cristi Nesbitt Ullmann
  • Patent number: 8095313
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining the risk of an object collision. The method includes transmitting a signal and analyzing a received signal that is indicative of the presence of a remote object. The signal is then analyzed to determine an initial azimuth value and an initial range for the remote object. Subsequent received signals are continuously analyzed to continuously determine subsequent azimuth values, azimuth value velocities and accelerations, as well as subsequent range values, range value velocities and range value accelerations. The factors are then input into a predetermined formula to yield a risk assessment of collision P. The formulas for determining P can be adjusted to account for such factors as number and proximity of remote objects, as well as the speed and maneuverability of both the remote objects and the vehicle that is avoiding collisions with the remote object(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael R. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 8086406
    Abstract: In order to enhance a safety system, in particular an accident avoidance system for a means of transportation, in particular a motor vehicle, having at least one steering system and at least one brake system in such a way that an avoidance maneuver initiated by the operator of the means of transportation when approaching an obstacle is supported with respect to both the device and the method, thus preventing an accident through collision, the evaluation unit determines at least one driving variation, in particular at least one avoidance trajectory and/or at least one automatic emergency braking action from the data and information and when or after the operator of the means of transportation initiates a driving maneuver, in particular an avoidance maneuver or an emergency braking maneuver, the safety system, in particular the evaluation unit specifies, supports and/or suggests this driving maneuver in an optimized form, in particular in the form of an optimal avoidance trajectory or in the form of an automati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Ewerhart, Uwe Werner, Heiko Freienstein, Jan Tilp, Joachim Selinger, Soenke Carstens-Behrens, Markus Hagemann
  • Patent number: 8082063
    Abstract: Mobile apparatuses capable of moving or acting autonomously, without contacting each other, in an environment where movements of the mobile apparatuses are not managed by a server, are provided. In a robot functioning as a first mobile apparatus, it is recognized that an object corresponds to a second mobile apparatus, and based on this recognition, a target trajectory is searched for and determined. Further, the first mobile apparatus causes another robot functioning as the second mobile apparatus to recognize a part or a whole of the target trajectory. In the second mobile apparatus, the part or the whole of the target trajectory of the first mobile apparatus is recognized, and based on this recognition, a target trajectory that the second mobile apparatus should follow is searched for and determined. This allows the mobile apparatuses to move along their respective target trajectories to avoid contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Sekiya
  • Patent number: 8046146
    Abstract: A method is provided for adaptively determining an anti-lock braking strategy that includes monitoring a distance differential of at least one target in proximity to a driven vehicle. An anti-lock braking strategy is determined as a function of the distance differential. The anti-locking braking strategy is applied as a function of the distance differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Douglas Charles Osborn, James Andrew Techentin, Jong Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8009024
    Abstract: A display device of the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. An obstacle located in front of the vehicle is detected by a camera, and its features including speed, distance, size, etc. are analyzed by electronic circuits. An image showing the features of the front object is outputted from a liquid crystal panel. The outputted image is reflected on the windshield, displaying a virtual image to a driver. The virtual image is displayed in a form of a spot encircling the front obstacle seen through the windshield. The ways of displaying the encircling spot are variously changed according to a degree of collision danger that is determined according to a period in which the vehicle reaches the obstacle. For example, if the degree of collision danger is high, the spot is shown in red-orange color and/or with a high brightness. Thus, the driver easily recognizes the front obstacle in a high degree of collision danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Enya, Masaru Kakizaki
  • Patent number: 8004403
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an alert signal for a trailer. Proper truck/trailer matching is based on a proximity analysis between position reports for a truck and position reports for a trailer. In one embodiment, this proximity analysis is triggered by a detection of movement in a trailer. In the proximity analysis, unexpected deviations in proximity between a truck and a trailer would lead to a generation of an alert signal that is sent to the appropriate management system for investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: John McKethan
  • Patent number: 7996126
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for navigation based on the intensity of illumination. The apparatus includes: a photosensitive sensor sensing light; a photosensitive sensor processor calculating an illumination intensity of the light sensed by the photosensitive sensor; a drive unit moving the apparatus; an actuator actuating the drive unit; and a task manager generating data usable to move the apparatus along a trajectory of a preset target illumination intensity where the illumination intensity measured by the photosensitive sensor processor is the same as the target illumination intensity using the difference between the measured illumination intensity and the target illumination intensity. The actuator uses the data generated by the task manager to actuate the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-jin Hong
  • Patent number: 7986247
    Abstract: A driver advisory system for previewing the local traffic conditions on a highway is described. Apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an advisory system that transmits information regarding the status of the host vehicle to drivers of other vehicles, in particular when the status of the host vehicle presents a hazardous condition to other vehicles. The advisory system may also receive information from other vehicles, and provide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle if a hazardous condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthony Bauer, Masato Okuda
  • Patent number: 7979200
    Abstract: Systems and methods that coordinate assignments of aircraft operating within a controlled airspace to ground radios are provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes an air traffic control (ATC) facility (12), a plurality of ground radios (16A-16C), and a network manager (20) communicatively coupled to the air traffic control facility (12) and the ground radios (16A-16C). The air traffic control facility is responsible for controlling aircraft (14A-14I) operating within the airspace (10) and providing ATC information to the network manager (20). The ground radios (16A-16C) are operable to provide communications between the air traffic control facility (12) and the aircraft (14A-14I). The network manager (20) is operable to assign each aircraft (14A-14I) to one of the ground radios (16A-16C) based on network management considerations using the ATC information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: FM Bay, David E. Walton
  • Patent number: 7974778
    Abstract: In a vehicular control object determination system, locus correlation degree calculator calculates a degree of correlation between a future travel locus of a vehicle estimated by first travel locus estimator based on a vehicle speed and a yaw rate and a future travel locus of the vehicle estimated by second travel locus estimator based on a past travel locus of the vehicle calculated by travel locus calculator. When control object determiner determines a control object based on the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator and predetermined control object determination conditions, the control object determination conditions are modified according to the degree of correlation, that is, the degree of reliability of the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator, thereby achieving both accuracy with which the control object is determined and determination of the control object at a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiichiro Sawamoto, Shigeru Inoue, Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7969326
    Abstract: A parking assist apparatus outputs display of a synthesized image of the periphery of a vehicle as a bird's-eye view image, and superimposes, on the synthesized image, turning guide lines based on the current steering angle of the vehicle and straight driving guide lines, along which the vehicle drives in a straight line after turning in accordance with the turning guide lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 7962279
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for alerting an aircraft crew member of a potential conflict between a first aircraft and a second aircraft on a first taxiway. Real-time positioning data related to the first aircraft on the first taxiway is monitored. Data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft is monitored. A prediction is made as to whether the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway, based on the monitored data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft. The potential conflict is indicated on the first taxiway, if a prediction is made that the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Pepitone, Edward Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 7915841
    Abstract: There is described a method for using a mobile control device, with which a machine can be operated within an assigned effective range. To this end an effective range list is configured, which is checked on the basis of transponder data from RFID transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Griessnig
  • Patent number: 7908341
    Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver includes a gap filler information storage unit for storing information of locations of gap fillers and information of corresponding gap filler identifiers matched to the locations. The gap fillers are arranged at regular intervals in order to relay digital broadcasting data transmitted from a satellite. A reception unit receives the digital broadcasting data including the information of gap filler identifiers. A sub-controller detects identification information of a current gap filler from the digital broadcasting data. An input unit receives an input of destination information. A main controller detects identification information of a destination gap filler corresponding to the input destination information from the gap filler information storage unit, counts the number of gap fillers located between the destination gap filler and the current gap filler, and generates destination arrival information based on the counted number of gap fillers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Seong Geun Kwon
  • Patent number: 7903842
    Abstract: A target position setting device includes a distance meter, an imager, first and second calculating portions, a determination portion, and a setting portion. The distance meter measures a distance to an object around a vehicle. The imager takes an image of an environment around the vehicle. The first calculating portion calculates a first candidate of a target position of the vehicle according to a measuring result of the distance meter. The second calculating portion calculates a second candidate of the target position of the vehicle according to an imaging result of the imager. The determination portion determines whether a relationship between the first candidate and the second candidate meets a given condition. The setting portion sets the target position according to the second candidate of the target position when the determination portion determines that the relationship between the first candidate and the second candidate meets the given condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisashi Satonaka
  • Patent number: 7890280
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a physical property as a function of position. A data series including data point from one or more channels is obtained by frequency modulation continuous wave. A number of data points correspond to Nda different values of frequency of modulation. One or more processing steps are performed including at least part of said primary data series to obtain at least one secondary data series comprising N (N>Nda) data points from the values of frequency of modulation. The secondary data series from frequency domain is transformed to obtain at least one back scattering curve in space domain, and optionally the back scattering curve(s) to one or more physical properties as a function of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: LIOS Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Fomme