Patents Examined by Alan D Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 11577761
    Abstract: A vehicle control system uses reliability of an input signal of an autonomous vehicle to safely travel through an intersection or a crossroad. The system includes a first calculating unit that calculates reliability for behavior information of a front vehicle and a second calculating unit calculates reliability for state information of a traffic light in the crossroad or the intersection based on a surrounding vehicle. A third calculating unit calculates reliability for brake light information of the front vehicle and a fourth calculating unit calculates reliability for flow information of the surrounding vehicle passing the crossroad or the intersection. A determining unit generates a vehicle control signal according to the calculated reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: In-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 11573095
    Abstract: A method of lane detection for a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs is disclosed. The one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the following steps comprising: generating a ground truth associated with lane markings expressed in god's view; receiving features from at least one of a hit-map image and a fitted lane marking, wherein the hit-map image includes a classification of pixels that hit a lane marking, and the fitted lane marking includes pixels optimized based on the hit-map image; and training a confidence module based on the features and the ground truth, the confidence module configured to determine on-line whether a fitted lane marking is reasonable, using parameters that express a lane marking in an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Siyuan Liu, Mingdong Wang, Xiaodi Hou
  • Patent number: 11573088
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating information to a visitor of a site, e.g., a theme park, historical site, zoo, etc., providing mementoes of the visit and/or communicating information encouraging future, e.g., repeat, visits are described. In various embodiments costumed characters, vending carts and/or other items of interest may move around a site and thus be at different locations at different times of the day. In some embodiments beacon transmitters are inserted in the costumes of the characters, on the vending carts and/or on other moveable items. Each beacon transmitter transmits a unique wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CECELUMEN, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Buscemi, Jim Webster, Justin Maestri
  • Patent number: 11573096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation device comprising a display for displaying a digital map to a user, a processor configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user using the display, and a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus. The user interface is arranged to allow a user to select a continuous region present in the digital map by providing one or more indications on the digital map displayed to the user. The processor is arranged to determine digital map data relating to the selected continuous region, and to carry out one or more mapping or navigation operations using the determined digital map data. The processor may calculate a route using a path selected on the map by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOMTOM NAVIGATION B.V.
    Inventors: Breght Roderick Boschker, Rob van Seggelen
  • Patent number: 11572085
    Abstract: To implement a configuration to calculate a manual driving recoverable time required for a driver who is executing automatic driving in order to achieve a requested recovery ratio (RRR) for each road section, and issue a manual driving recovery request notification on the basis of the calculated time. A data processing unit is included, which calculates a manual driving recoverable time required for a driver who is executing automatic driving in order to achieve a predefined requested recovery ratio (RRR) from automatic driving to manual driving and determines notification timing of a manual driving recovery request notification on the basis of the calculated time. The data processing unit acquires the requested recovery ratio (RRR) for each road section set as ancillary information of a local dynamic map (LDM), and calculates the manual driving recoverable time for each road section scheduled to travel, using learning data for each driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Oba
  • Patent number: 11566903
    Abstract: The autonomous vehicle generates an overlapped image by overlaying HD map data over sensor data and rendering the overlaid images. The visualization process is repeated as the vehicle drives along the route. The visualization may be displayed on a screen within the vehicle or at a remote device. The system performs reverse rendering of a scene based on map data from a selected point. For each line of sight originating at the selected point, the system identifies the farthest object in the map data. Accordingly, the system eliminates objects obstructing the view of the farthest objects in the HD map as viewed from the selected point. The system further allows filtering of objects using filtering criteria based on semantic labels. The system generates a view from the selected point such that 3D objects matching the filtering criteria are eliminated from the view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gil Colgate, Mark Damon Wheeler, Wei Luo
  • Patent number: 11560150
    Abstract: A vehicle interlock system includes a wheelchair fixing device configured to fix a wheelchair to a vehicle, a seatbelt device having a seatbelt configured such that, an occupant seated in the wheelchair wears the seatbelt, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to limit at least one of an upper limit traveling speed and an upper limit acceleration of the vehicle or output a warning signal, or to output a warning signal while limiting at least one of the upper limit traveling speed and the upper limit acceleration of the vehicle depending on at least one of the following conditions: whether the wheelchair is fixed to the vehicle with the wheelchair fixing device; whether the occupant is wearing the seatbelt; and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Makoto Sekizuka
  • Patent number: 11561304
    Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a scan pattern of a LIDAR system including a bistatic transceiver include receiving first SNR values based on values of a range of the target, where the first SNR values are for a respective scan rate. Techniques further include receiving second SNR values based on values of the range of the target, where the second SNR values are for a respective integration time. Techniques further include receiving a maximum design range of the target at each angle in the angle range. Techniques further include determining, for each angle in the angle range, a maximum scan rate and a minimum integration time. Techniques further include defining a scan pattern of the LIDAR system based on the maximum scan rate and the minimum integration time at each angle and operating the LIDAR system according to the scan pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Crouch, Edward Angus, Michelle Milvich
  • Patent number: 11551555
    Abstract: A computer system operates to receive transport service requests from computing devices of requesters within a geographic region. The system matches each transport service request with an available transport provider operating a service vehicle within the geographic region, and determines a location bias for a first transport provider that operates a corresponding vehicle within the geographic region, the location bias being associated with a preferred location of the first transport provider. The system may then match the first transport provider to a transport service request based on (i) the location bias of the first transport provider, and (ii) a destination of the transport service request which, upon fulfilling the transport service request, results in the first transport provider being positioned to arrive at the preferred location within a future time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Parker Kuncl, Ashley Quitoriano, Awaneesh Verma
  • Patent number: 11541911
    Abstract: A memory stores a plurality of steering angle characteristics including a first steering angle characteristic and a second steering angle characteristic. A steering angle characteristic selecting unit selects a selected steering angle characteristic from the steering angle characteristics stored in the memory. A driving control unit controls the steering angle of an autonomous-driving vehicle in accordance with the selected steering angle characteristic and a rightward or leftward operation amount of a mechanical operation unit of an autonomous-driving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 11545039
    Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling an intersection of a route of a UAV. The systems and methods provide detection of vehicles and persons in (or predicted to enter) an area of the intersection and provide a signal to the UAV so that the UAV can avoid flying over vehicles and persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Ortman
  • Patent number: 11541751
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle stop support system for supporting vehicle stop in an emergency condition. The vehicle stop support system sets a target time period based on physical abnormality of a driver; sets an allowable lateral acceleration, based on the abnormality; estimates a time period required to reach each of a plurality of stop point candidates; estimates a lateral acceleration to be generated during traveling of a vehicle to each of the candidates; sets a stop point; and controls the vehicle to travel to the stop point and stop at the stop point. The system is operable to set, as the stop point, one of the candidates which satisfies a condition that the lateral acceleration estimated with respect thereto is equal to or less than the allowable lateral acceleration, and the required time period estimated with respect thereto is equal to or less than the target time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sugano, Takuya Yamashita, Takesato Fushima
  • Patent number: 11543816
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for signaling information to the operator of the remote control for a parking assistance system which can be controlled by remote control from outside of a motor vehicle for automatically parking the motor vehicle into a parking space. The method includes detecting surroundings information with respect to the vehicle surroundings on the motor vehicle side using a surrounding sensor system of the motor vehicle. The parking assistance system in the motor vehicle detects a parking space on the basis of the surroundings information, and information on the detection of a parking space is transmitted from the motor vehicle to the remote control via a wireless communication connection. On the basis of the received information, the remote control signals the presence of the detected parking space to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alex Messner, Rebecca Pascal, Georgios Lidoris
  • Patent number: 11541776
    Abstract: Techniques regarding parameterizing energy consumption of an electric vehicle are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a system, which can comprise a memory that can store computer executable components. The system can also comprise a processor, operably coupled to the memory, and that can execute the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a vehicle state estimation component that determines an operating condition experienced by a vehicle while traveling a route. Further, the system can comprise an energy consumption component that parametrizes an amount of energy expended by the vehicle while traveling the route based on a loss table that is populated with an energy consumption value derived from historic operation of the vehicle at the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Sivertsson, Viktor Larsson
  • Patent number: 11535251
    Abstract: A full speed range adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that each generate a signal, a memory that includes executable instructions and a processor that executes the executable instructions. The executable instructions enable the processor to detect a target vehicle as being stopped along a route based upon the signals from the plurality of sensors, cause the host vehicle to stop at a distance from the target vehicle, detect the target vehicle moving along the route after the host vehicle has stopped based upon the signals from the plurality of sensors, determine whether a first predetermined period of time has elapsed since the host vehicle has stopped, determine whether a first predetermined condition is satisfied if the first predetermined period of time has elapsed, and cause the host vehicle to move if the system determines that the first predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Amanpal S. Grewal, Dmitriy Feldman, Robert C. Baraszu, Chinar Dhamija
  • Patent number: 11536569
    Abstract: A sensor data processing system for an autonomous vehicle receives inertial measurement unit (IMU) data from one or more IMUs of the autonomous vehicle. Based at least in part on the IMU data, the system identifies an IMU data offset from a deficient IMU of the one or more IMUs, and generates an offset compensation transform to compensate for the IMU data offset from the deficient IMU. The system dynamically executes the offset compensation transform on the IMU data from the deficient IMU to dynamically compensate for the IMU data offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Leach, Mark Sibenac, Robert Zlot, Aaron Greenfield
  • Patent number: 11529975
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling an automated guided vehicle. An embodiment of the method comprises: receiving a fault message comprising travel state information for indicating the travel state of a faulty automated guided vehicle and position information of a fault point where a fault occurs (201); determining a fault region, and sending an instruction for indicating prohibition of passing in the fault region to a non-faulty automated guided vehicle (202); determining a target automated guided vehicle from the automated guided vehicles currently not executing a task, and sending a task execution instruction to the target automated guided vehicle (203); and in response to determining that the faulted automated guided vehicle is transferred to a maintenance region, sending an instruction for indicating cancel of the prohibition of passing in the fault region to the non-faulty automated guided vehicle that is executing a task (204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: Beijing Jingdong Shangke Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Jingdong Century Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang Li
  • Patent number: 11524692
    Abstract: A ride-share system of other vehicle system employs a profile database having a plurality of user phobia profiles for potential customers. Each of the user phobia profiles identifies one or more respective phobia groups pertaining to a respective user, wherein each phobia group associates a plurality of driving-related phobias which share at least one trigger condition or at least one countermeasure. A vehicle controller is coupled to the profile database which determines a default itinerary for a trip to a destination specified by one of the users. The vehicle controller evaluates the default itinerary for potential interaction with a respective phobia group identified by the phobia profile of the one of the users. The vehicle controller implements an alternate itinerary that mitigates the potential interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Y. Ghannam, John Van Wiemeersch, Aed Dudar, Frank L. Lollo
  • Patent number: 11493924
    Abstract: Fixed segmented lattice planning for a mobile automation apparatus is provided. A mobile automation apparatus is provisioned with a plurality of segments for a plurality of paths through an environment, each of the plurality of segments being fixed in a reference frame, the plurality of segments arranged in a lattice configuration, with adjacent segments defining fixed nodes in the lattice configuration. The apparatus navigates through the environment on a segment-by-segment basis, storing control inputs and error signals for each segment and then later, when again navigating a segment using stored control inputs and error signals to generate current control inputs, along with current error signals, and storing the current control inputs and the current error signals. Indeed, each time the apparatus navigates a segment in the lattice configuration, the control inputs and the error signals are updated to refine navigation through the environment at each navigation through a segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin C. Jen, Harsoveet Singh, Stephen L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11492008
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing second order dynamics delays in a control subsystem (e.g. throttle, braking, or steering) in an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV). A control input is received from an ADV perception and planning system. The control input is translated in a control command to a control subsystem of the ADV. A reference actuation output is obtained from a storage of the ADV. The reference actuation output is a smoothed output that accounts for second order actuation dynamic delays attributable to the control subsystem actuator. Based on a difference between the control input and the reference actuation output, adaptive gains are determined and applied to the input control signal to reduce error between the control output and the reference actuation output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Qi Luo, Shu Jiang, Jinghao Miao, Jiangtao Hu, Jingao Wang, Jinyun Zhou, Jiaxuan Xu