Patents Examined by Atul Trivedi
  • Patent number: 11511710
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a braking device for a vehicle. It is the purpose of the present invention to enable automatic braking upon detection of a braking action of a preceding vehicle which is concealed by an obstacle. The braking device for a vehicle according to the invention, comprises a brake pedal, a brake actuator, a control unit which is adapted to activate the brake actuator in dependence on the position of the brake pedal; wherein the brake actuator is activatable in dependence on a first signal, and wherein the first signal contains information about a first characteristic of a preceding vehicle covered by an obstacle, characterized in that the braking device is adapted to receive the first signal from a stationary transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Marco Scheffler
  • Patent number: 11511735
    Abstract: There is provided a signal processing apparatus, a signal processing method for appropriate driving control. The signal processing apparatus includes a safety determination unit that determines safety of a preceding vehicle on a basis of sensor-related information related to a sensor provided in the preceding vehicle, the sensor being relevant to a safety function, and a control signal generation unit that generates, on a basis of a result of the determination of the safety, a control signal for controlling a host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yukawa, Noriko Tanaka, Asako Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11505168
    Abstract: First target braking forces for front and rear wheels are calculated by distributing a target braking force of automatic braking to the front and rear wheels at a first front/rear wheel distribution ratio when braking operation is started by a driver during execution of the automatic braking control, second target braking forces for the front and rear wheels are calculated by distributing the braking force requested by the driver to the front and rear wheels at a second front/rear wheel distribution ratio preset to be different from the first front/rear wheel distribution ratio such that a pitch moment applied to a vehicle body due to braking forces of the front and rear wheels becomes zero, and braking forces of the front and rear wheels are controlled so as to be sums of the first and second target braking forces of the front and rear wheels, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Akahane
  • Patent number: 11499838
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product may be provided for providing traffic data to a client device. The system may receive from the client device, a request for traffic data corresponding to road segments of at least one map area, said request identifying the at least one map area and determine road segment identifiers corresponding to each of the road segments of the at least one map area and determine traffic data for at least a portion of the road segment identifiers, said traffic data obtained from a traffic data source. The system may further determine a plurality of traffic ranges based on the obtained traffic data and generate a bloom filter set, each bloom filter of the bloom filter set corresponding to a traffic range of the plurality of traffic ranges, wherein each bloom filter encodes road segment identifiers corresponding to the respective traffic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Raul Cajias, Daniel Rolf
  • Patent number: 11498533
    Abstract: There is presented a method for controlling an activation threshold of a safety system of a vehicle. The method comprises receiving map data from a remote data repository, said map data comprising a geographical location of a dynamic object located in a surrounding area of an expected path of the vehicle, determining a geographical location of the vehicle by means of a localization system of the vehicle, and lowering an activation threshold value of the safety system when the geographical location of the vehicle is within a predefined distance from the dynamic object. The presented method provides for an efficient means for preparing e.g. an emergency brake assist system of a vehicle in potentially critical situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Zenuity AB
    Inventor: Sten Henrik Ahnfalk
  • Patent number: 11492783
    Abstract: A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body mounted on the lower traveling body; and a receiver, a direction detecting device, a controller, and a display device mounted on the upper turning body, wherein the receiver is configured to receive an image captured by a camera-mounted autonomous aerial vehicle, the direction detecting device is configured to detect a direction of the shovel, the controller is configured to generate information related to a target rotation angle of the camera-mounted autonomous aerial vehicle based on the direction of the shovel, and the display device is configured to display the captured image in a same direction as a direction of an image that is captured when the camera-mounted autonomous aerial vehicle rotates by the target rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO(S.H.I) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Nishi, Sou Sakuta, Takaaki Morimoto, Takeya Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 11487289
    Abstract: Techniques are described for repairing an autonomous vehicle. One of the methods includes receiving a message that an autonomous vehicle requires repair, the message including a time period during which the autonomous vehicle is available for repair. The method includes scheduling a time for the repair with a third-party, the third party having an address. The method also includes directing the autonomous vehicle to autonomously drive to the address at the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Cameron Paul, Paul Joseph Craig
  • Patent number: 11475765
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a driver assistance system for determining the position of a stopping point of a vehicle at an infrastructure device comprising: a control unit; a communication device for receiving data from a server or from the infrastructure device; and a sensor arrangement for capturing vehicle data or environmental data. The control unit determines the location of the stopping point at the infrastructure device based at least in part on the data and the vehicle data or environmental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Grubwinkier
  • Patent number: 11470760
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle monitoring system includes one or more noncontact sensors configured to sense multiple objects along a scanline. A comparative vehicle monitor is in communication with the one or more noncontact sensors. The comparative vehicle monitor is configured to provide a specified row width and to identify one or more crop rows from the scan line and determine one or more lengths of scan line segments between identified crop rows. The comparative vehicle monitor is further configured to determine a vehicle position including one or more of a vehicle angle or a vehicle location according to the specified row width and the one or more determined lengths of scan line segments between the identified crop rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Van Roekel, Alex John Weidenbach, John D. Preheim, Drew John Waltner, Joel Quentin Quanbeck
  • Patent number: 11474240
    Abstract: A golf rangefinder system comprises a GPS golf rangefinder device and an accessory. The golf rangefinder device comprises a housing defining a forward housing portion with a display screen viewable therein, and a rearward housing portion with a convexity projecting therefrom. A magnet centrally positioned at a distal most portion of the convexity. The accessory includes a clip with a hook-shaped member and a receptacle portion for mating with the convexity of the housing of the golf rangefinder device. A second magnet is positioned in a recess in the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion configured as a concavity and conforming to the convexity of the rangefinder device whereby when the accessory and rangefinder device are in proximity with each other they are magnetically coupled with the convexity positioned in the concavity. The accessory and rangefinder slidably rotatable and movable with respect to one another while still maintaining the magnetic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Bushnell Inc.
    Inventors: John DeCastro, Ryne Fisher, Scott O. Nyhart, Timothy J. Tiel
  • Patent number: 11468774
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative ramp merger are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a swarm module, position module, identification module, constraint module, and cooperative module. The swarm module causes a host vehicle to join cooperating vehicles of proximate vehicles to assist the merging vehicle. A position module identifies relative positions of the host vehicle and the proximate vehicles. An identification module selects a role for the host vehicle based on the relative positions of the host vehicle and the cooperating vehicles and identifies a duplicate role. A constraint module calculates a merge location area based on the relative positions of the host vehicle and the proximate vehicles and the ramp location and a duplicate sequence based on the duplicate role. A cooperative module determines a cooperative action for the host vehicle based on the role of the host vehicle, the merge location area, and the duplicate role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soroush Jalali, Hossein Nourkhiz Mahjoub, Yasir Khudhair Al-Nadawi
  • Patent number: 11458890
    Abstract: A warning condition adjusting apparatus may include: a determination unit configured to determine whether a parking direction of an ego vehicle is a first direction or a second direction, using traveling information of a target vehicle; and a change unit configured to maintain a preset warning condition of a rear cross collision warning (RCCW) system when the parking direction of the ego vehicle is the first direction, and change the warning condition of the RCCW system when the parking direction of the ego vehicle is the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eun Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 11453387
    Abstract: A surface characterization system includes an active suspension a system with a wheel controller to control a first and second wheel of a vehicle where the active suspension causes a difference in loading between the first and second wheel. The wheel controller may cause the first wheel to slow and receive a signal indicative of a change of state of the vehicle. The wheel controller may cause the second wheel to oppose the change of state caused by the first wheel. The surface characterization system may estimate tire-surface parameterization data associated with the first tire and a surface upon which the vehicle is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Andreas Huennekens, David Martins Belo, Johannes Edren
  • Patent number: 11453335
    Abstract: An intelligent ultrasonic system may include: a camera sensor unit configured to take an image of a road ahead of a driving vehicle; an ultrasonic signal input unit configured to receive an ultrasonic signal sensed through one or more ultrasonic sensors mounted on the vehicle; a feature extraction unit configured to extract a feature of the received ultrasonic signal; a data collision unit configured to collect one or more data related to a surrounding situation of the road on which the vehicle is driven; and a control unit configured to divide the surrounding situation into two or more classes based on the one or more data collected through the data collection unit, and change or reset an existing parameter to a parameter corresponding to any one class of the classes when the surrounding situation corresponds to the one class or is changed to the one class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyu Hoon Lee, Ji Su Kim, Jang Yeol Yoon, Dong Soo Park, Jin Young Oh
  • Patent number: 11449053
    Abstract: An autonomous driving system includes: a Human Machine Interface; and a control device configured to control autonomous driving of a vehicle, present a first operation instruction to a driver of the vehicle during the autonomous driving, the first operation instruction requesting the driver to perform a first response operation performed in response to a first request or a first proposal by presenting the first request or the first proposal to the driver via the Human Machine Interface, and prohibit presenting a second operation instruction different from the first operation instruction until the first response operation is completed or until a timing at which the first response operation is predicted to be completed, the second operation instruction requesting the driver to perform a second response operation performed in response to a second request or a second proposal by presenting the second request or the second proposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuta Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11442168
    Abstract: A vehicular driving assist system includes a plurality of lidar sensors having respective fields of sensing exterior the vehicle, with the fields of sensing of first and second lidar sensors partially overlapping at an overlap region. The lidar sensors emit a respective pattern of light and provide a respective output to an ECU based on sensed light that is reflected by objects present in the field of sensing of the respective lidar sensor. The pattern of light emitted by the second lidar sensor differs from the pattern of light emitted by the first lidar sensor. The ECU determines misalignment of the second lidar sensor relative to the first lidar sensor based at least in part on the light sensed by each of the lidar sensors that is reflected by an object present in the overlap region when the respective pattern of light is emitted by the respective lidar sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Peter Nicke, Benjamin May
  • Patent number: 11440471
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system perceives an environment surrounding an ADV including a vehicle in front of the ADV. The system determines whether the vehicle in front is slipping backwards based on the perception. The system determines whether the vehicle in front is situated on a road with a slope based on map information. The system determines whether a tail light or a brake light of the vehicle in front is turned on based on the perception. If it is determined that the vehicle in front is situated on a sloped road, is slipping backwards, and the tail light or the brake light is not turned on, the system calculates a time to impact or a distance to impact based on the distance and speed of the vehicle in front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11440550
    Abstract: On a road on which a first lane, a second lane, and a third lane or a road shoulder are adjacent to each other, a vehicle control device executes an automatic lane change from the first lane to the second lane. In the case that a traffic regulating object that regulates passage of traffic in the third lane or on the road shoulder is placed in the third lane or on the road shoulder, and an external environment recognition unit recognizes the traffic regulating object, a lane change control unit restricts the automatic lane change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daichi Kato, Mo Zhang, Chihiro Oguro, Nozomu Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 11433903
    Abstract: Sensor and method for detecting road conditions while a vehicle is moving, the sensor comprising a dual optical frequency comb, optical means for directing the output beam of the comb towards a verification site of the road, a photodetector and receiving optics for directing the back reflected light towards the photodetector, the photodetector being provided with electronics for obtaining the RF spectrum of the detected signal and resolving the optical spectrum of the verification region from the RF spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
    Inventors: Marta Ruiz Llata, Pablo Acedo Gallardo, Oscar Elías Bonilla Manrique, Julio Enrique Posada Román, Pedro Martín Mateos
  • Patent number: 11433900
    Abstract: A vehicle environment detection system (40) in an ego vehicle (1), including a sensor arrangement (4) and a main control unit (8) is arranged to detect and track at least one oncoming vehicle (9), and to determine whether the ego vehicle (1) has entered a curve (17). The main control unit (8) is arranged to determine a common curve (12) with a radius (R), along which common curve (12) the ego vehicle (1) is assumed to travel, determine a measured oncome direction (13, 13?) of the oncoming vehicle (9) on the common curve (16), corresponding to an outcome angle (?track), determine a difference angle (?) between the measured oncome direction (13, 13?) and an oncome direction (13) corresponding to if the oncoming vehicle (9) would be moving along the common curve (12), compare the difference angle (?) with a threshold angle (?max), and to determine that the oncoming vehicle (9) is crossing if the difference angle (?) exceeds the threshold angle (?max).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Arriver Software AB
    Inventors: Michael Maas, Andreas Schmid, Christopher Unverdorben