Patents Examined by Aaron L Troost
  • Patent number: 11631328
    Abstract: A determination device that determines a tendency of a driver who selects a parking space includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding an attribute of the parking space in a parking lot, information regarding behavior of a vehicle driven by the driver in the parking lot, and information regarding behavior of the driver when the driver is driving the vehicle in the parking lot, and a determination unit configured to determine the tendency of the driver when the driver selects the parking space, based on the information regarding the behavior of the vehicle or the information regarding the behavior of the driver and the information regarding the attribute of the parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeyama, Motohiro Nakamura, Norihiro Nakamura, Hideki Kasezawa, Kensuke Takeuchi, Hajime Morikawa, Yoko Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11609566
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for switching a mode of a vehicle. Real-time data related to the vehicle are received, which include intrinsic/extrinsic capability parameters, based on which a set of tasks to switch from a current mode to a different mode is determined. A first duration of time required for the switch is determined based on a first risk evaluated with respect to the current mode and the real-time data. A task duration time needed by a driver to complete the task is estimated for each of the set of tasks. A second risk for the switching is estimated based on the required first duration of time and a total task duration times needed to complete the set of tasks. The switch is carried out when the second risk satisfying a criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, Timothy Patrick Daly, Jr., David Wanqian Liu
  • Patent number: 11609580
    Abstract: A workflow management system is described to manage tasks to be performed with vehicles. The workflow management system includes a workflow management server and a computer located in a vehicle. The workflow management server generates and sends to the computer a record that describes a task to be performed with a vehicle. The task may include collecting sensor data from one or more sensors on the vehicle, or performing a vehicle driving test using an updated operating system to be used by the vehicle. The record can include a starting location and a destination of a route on which the vehicle is to perform the task. The computer receives the record, executes an operating system of the vehicle to perform the task, determines that the task is completed, and sends to a database a record status information that indicates that the task is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Lindong Sun, Yidi Zhang, Song Wang, Chang Joon Rhee
  • Patent number: 11590970
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a deadlock detection device includes a combining calculator and a deadlock determiner. The combining calculator performs selecting a mobile vehicle or combined mobile vehicles from among mobile vehicles, based on a traveling path configuration graph and first state information, going forward the selected mobile vehicle to go forward on traveling path configuration graph and combining the selected mobile vehicle to another mobile vehicle or another combined mobile vehicles at a back of the other mobile vehicle or the other combined mobile vehicles, iterating a process of the selecting, the going and combining. The deadlock determiner determines that a deadlock occurs if not all the mobile vehicles have been combined by the combining calculator, and determines that no deadlock occurs if all the mobile vehicles have been combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shigeta Kuninobu, Hideyuki Aisu, Tomoshi Otsuki
  • Patent number: 11592313
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting map-generating data includes a processor configured to count, for each of road sections, the number of pieces of map-generating data received in a first period from one of at least one vehicle, identify one of the road sections for which the number of pieces of map-generating data received in the first period does not reach a target number for the one of the road sections, and predict, for the identified road section, the number of pieces of map-generating data to be received in a second period ahead after the first period, based on history of traffic volume under each environmental condition or history of the number of pieces of map-generating data previously received for the road section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11585673
    Abstract: A data updating device sets, with respect to map data in which road links are represented as line segment sequences, a plurality of first straight lines extending in a first direction and a plurality of second straight lines extending in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, to thereby generate mesh map data. Then, the data updating device sets a set L of points or line segments that represent the update location, sets a set V including a plurality of first straight lines, and sets a set H including a plurality of second straight lines. Then, the data updating device sets the state of each mesh based on the set L, the set V, and the set H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Neyama, Sylvain Lefebvre, Masahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11578984
    Abstract: A vehicle control device is provided. The vehicle control device includes a terminal device authentication unit that determines whether a terminal device of a user registered as a user of a vehicle, in advance, is present around or within the vehicle. The vehicle control device also includes a communication unit that communicates with the terminal device. Also included in the vehicle control device is a control unit that causes a display device provided in the vehicle to output a screen for setting communication between the communication unit and the terminal device. The display device outputs the screen in a case where it is determined by the terminal device authentication unit that the terminal device is present and the display device is started up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigenori Hiruta, Takashi Mori, Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11579607
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for switching a mode of a vehicle. Real-time data related to the vehicle are received, which include intrinsic/extrinsic capability parameters, based on which a set of tasks to switch from a current mode to a different mode is determined. A first duration of time required for the switch is determined based on a first risk evaluated with respect to the current mode and the real-time data. A task duration time needed by a driver to complete the task is estimated for each of the set of tasks. A second risk for the switching is estimated based on the required first duration of time and a total task duration times needed to complete the set of tasks. The switch is carried out when the second risk satisfying a criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, Timothy Patrick Daly, Jr., David Wanqian Liu
  • Patent number: 11561103
    Abstract: An all-one-way network data for autonomous driving is generated according to traffic information of a road data included in a navigation map data. The lane network data for autonomous driving is generated based on the all-one-way network data according to information of a numerical number of lanes in the road data. A virtual lane boundary data is generated based on the all-one-way network data. A position of the lane network data and a position of the virtual lane boundary data are corrected according to a basic road map data and an aerial photograph data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoo Nomura
  • Patent number: 11561545
    Abstract: A trajectory for an autonomous vehicle (AV) can be generated using curvature segments. A decision planner component can receive a reference trajectory for the AV to follow in an environment. A number of subdivisions (frames) of the reference trajectory may be associated with a curvature value and a tangent vector. Starting with an initial position of the AV, a candidate trajectory can be determined by continuously intersecting a segment with an origin at the initial position of the AV and a reference line associated with a particular frame. The reference line can be substantially perpendicular to the tangent vector of the particular frame. A location of the intersection between the segment and the reference line can be based on a curvature value of the segment. Optimizing a candidate trajectory can include varying curvature values associated with various segments and determining costs of the various candidate trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventor: Marin Kobilarov
  • Patent number: 11551550
    Abstract: Methods for providing track condition information include receiving, at a first mobile track control station, a track condition notification. Such methods further include transmitting, from the first mobile track control station to a second mobile track control station in a network of mobile track control stations, the track condition notification. Such methods further include receiving, at the first mobile track control station from a third mobile track control station, affected track sector data regarding an affected track sector. Such methods further include transmitting, from the first mobile track control station to a first mobile track information station within a first vehicle, the affected track sector data, wherein the affected track sector data is configured to be used by the first mobile track information station to determine whether the first vehicle is within the affected track sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: EAST COAST RACING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Blaine Eastling, Glenn Alan Stephens, Andre Phillipe Surles, Joseph Wayne Vinson
  • Patent number: 11533861
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that implement an autonomous or semi-autonomous growth platform used to control live cargo exposures to environmental parameters by changing depth in an offshore environment. For example, the growth platform can be lowered at night so that farmed seaweed can perform luxury uptake of nutrients and raised during the daytime so that the farmed seaweed can capture sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Dominico P. Julian, Charles Nordstrom, Jeff Zerger, Joel Fraser Atwater, Benjamin Lundquist Saenz
  • Patent number: 11530933
    Abstract: While a vehicle is in an area, a stored map uncertainty value of map data for the area is retrieved. The stored map uncertainty value gives a range of uncertainty for at least one indicator of a travel path specified by the map data. Upon estimating the travel path and a vehicle pose, a dynamic map uncertainty value is determined based on a pose uncertainty value and a travel path uncertainty value. The pose uncertainty value gives a range of uncertainty for the vehicle pose in three degrees-of-freedom based on vehicle sensor data, and the travel path uncertainty value gives a range of uncertainty for the at least one indicator of the estimated travel path based on vehicle sensor data. Upon determining that the dynamic map uncertainty value is less than the stored map uncertainty value, the map data is updated based on the vehicle sensor data. Upon updating the map data, the vehicle is operated based on the updated map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, Ahmed Benmimoun, Brian George Buss
  • Patent number: 11531333
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to facilitate information sharing between vehicles. A relay vehicle may be provided which is in communication with a first group of remote vehicles over a first network and a second group of remote vehicles over a second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Peizner, Samir P. Ouahhabi
  • Patent number: 11526167
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to malfunctions are disclosed. Malfunctioning sensors or software of autonomous vehicles may be identified from operating data of the vehicle, and a component maintenance requirement status associated with such malfunctioning component may be generated. Based upon such status, usage restrictions may be enacted to limit operation of the vehicle while the component is malfunctioning. This may include disabling or restricting use of certain autonomous or semi-autonomous features of the vehicle until the component is repaired or replaced. Repair may be accomplished by automatically scheduling repair of the vehicle or installing an updated or uncorrupted version of a software program, in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11519736
    Abstract: The measurement device acquires positional information of a measurement object stored in a storage unit, and acquires point group information of points indicating a surrounding feature acquired by an external sensor. Then, the measurement device calculates the positional information indicating a predetermined position of the measurement object existing in a predetermined range based on the point group information existing in the predetermined range, and outputs its reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazufumi Fujiya, Tomoaki Iwai, Masahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 11518377
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera, a distance sensor and a controller having at least one processor. Image data captured by the camera and sensor data captured by the distance sensor are processed at the controller. The controller, responsive to processing of captured image data and of captured sensor data, detects an object. The controller determines the distance to the detected object based at least in part on difference between the positions of the detected object in captured image data and in captured sensor data. The controller, responsive to processing of captured image data and of captured sensor data, and responsive to the determined distance to the detected object, determines that the detected object represents a collision risk. The controller alerts a driver of the vehicle of the collision risk and/or controls the vehicle to mitigate the collision risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Joel S. Gibson, Duane W. Gebauer, Richard D. Shriner, Patrick A. Miller
  • Patent number: 11513526
    Abstract: A system and method of navigating a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a scanning device and a self-contained navigation system (SCNS) operatively connected to a computer, the method comprising: operating the scanning device for repeatedly executing a scanning operation, each operation includes scanning an area surrounding the vehicle, thereby generating respective scanning output data; operating the computer for generating, based on the scanning output data, a relative map representing at least a part of the area, the map having known dimensions and being relative to a position of the vehicle, wherein the map comprises cells, each cell classified to a class from at least two classes, comprising traversable and non-traversable, and characterized by dimensions equal or larger than an accumulated drift value of the SCNS; wherein non-traversable cells correspond to identified obstacles; receiving SCNS data and updating a position of the vehicle relative to the cells based on the SCNS data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Elta Systems LTD.
    Inventors: Dina Appelman, Ofir Cohen
  • Patent number: 11507114
    Abstract: A method including propelling a vehicle disposed in a medium. The vehicle includes a body, a propulsion mechanism connected to the body, and a direction control system. The vehicle is subject to advection caused by movement of the medium. The method also includes commanding the vehicle to perform a navigation course comprising a closed course-over-ground. The method also includes periodically adjusting navigation of the vehicle along the closed course-over-ground such that a course-through-the-medium turn-rate is varied in a manner that causes a course-over-ground turn-rate of the vehicle to be held constant, thereby minimizing the impact of medium advection on vehicle speed over ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Willcox
  • Patent number: 11498586
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for dynamically generating a secure navigation path for navigation of an autonomous vehicle. The method comprises detecting disproportional acceleration of the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle is navigating from a source point to a destination point based on a predefined trajectory plan. The method comprises determining direction values of the autonomous vehicle for reaching a secure path point in the predefined trajectory plan. Based on the determined direction values, distance values are determined. The method includes detecting position of the secure path point for navigation of the autonomous vehicle based on the determined direction values and the distance values. The present disclosure uses secure path point to realign the autonomous vehicle in the predefined trajectory plan to overcome the disproportional acceleration of the autonomous vehicle due to narrow roads, upward slope, or downward slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventors: Balaji Sunil Kumar, Manas Sarkar