Patents Examined by Cuong H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11441922
    Abstract: A surrounding information collection system requests a vehicle to transmit surrounding information, and stores the surrounding information transmitted from the vehicle in response to the request. The surrounding information collection system requests a vehicle to transmit surrounding information, the vehicle acquiring the surrounding information having accuracy greater than a threshold calculated based on accuracy of the stored surrounding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Iwaasa, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamamuro, Masato Endo, Daishi Terato, Masakazu Nomura, Shinichiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 11427247
    Abstract: A steering determination device determines a steering state in which a driver of a vehicle is steering a steering wheel of the vehicle. The device includes a torque recognition unit configured to recognize a steering torque based on a measurement result of a torque sensor provided on a steering shaft, an acceleration recognition unit configured to recognize longitudinal acceleration or lateral acceleration, a threshold value setting unit configured to set a threshold value for the determination of the steering state, based on the longitudinal acceleration or the lateral acceleration, and a steering determination unit configured to determine that the driver is in the steering state if the steering torque is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The threshold value setting unit is configured to set the threshold value such that the threshold value decreases as an absolute value of the longitudinal acceleration or the lateral acceleration decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Kuwabara, Naoki Nishimura, Yoji Kunihiro, Takahiro Kojo, Hisaya Akatsuka, Maxime Moreillon, Tsutomu Tamura, Robert Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11417219
    Abstract: A method for a collision risk calculation includes: executing acquisition processing that includes acquiring travel information regarding a position and velocity of each of a first vessel and a second vessel; executing region calculation processing that includes calculating a region having a possibility of future collision between the first vessel and the second vessel from the travel information of each of the first vessel and the second vessel; and executing first risk calculation processing that includes calculating a first risk value based on a maneuvering amount used by the first vessel or the second vessel in order to avoid the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroko Suzuki, Takahiro Saito, Isamu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11407424
    Abstract: Provided are a system and a method for testing an ability of an automated vehicle to pass a traffic circle without traffic lights. The system includes an automated vehicle, a traffic circle, a control center, an attitude sensor and a panorama camera. In the method, the control center receives a test request and then sends a driving command to drive the automated vehicle to enter the traffic circle to start the test. The attitude sensor obtains a tilt angle and sends it to the control center in real time. The panorama camera is configured to obtain a driving trajectory, a driving speed and a state of turn signals of the automated vehicle. The obtained information is compared to a standard by the control center to evaluate the ability of the automated vehicle to pass the traffic circle without traffic lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CHANG'AN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiangmo Zhao, Runmin Wang, Zhigang Xu, Yu Zhu, Wenshuai Zhou, Zhanwen Liu, Pengpeng Sun, Ying Guo, Lan Yang
  • Patent number: 11396301
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus comprises a first travel control unit and a second travel control unit that are configured to perform vehicle travel control by device control. The first travel control unit includes an instruction unit configured to instruct the second travel control unit to execute alternative control, a stop unit configured to stop the device control if execution of the alternative control was instructed by the instruction unit, a reception unit configured to receive information regarding an execution status of the alternative control from the second travel control unit, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the stopping of the device control by the stop unit is to be cancelled, based on the information regarding the execution status of the alternative control that was received by the reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouhei Miyamoto, Jun Ochida, Seiji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11392120
    Abstract: Among other things, planning a motion of a machine having moving capabilities is based on strategic guidelines derived from various basic principles, such as laws, ethics, preferences, driving experiences, and road environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Censi, Emilio Frazzoli, Hsun-Hsien Chang, Kostyantyn Slutskyy, Scott D. Pendleton
  • Patent number: 11392132
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system for training a computer-based autonomous driving model used for an autonomous driving operation by an autonomous vehicle are described. The method includes: creating time-dependent three-dimensional (3D) traffic environment data using at least one of real traffic element data and simulated traffic element data; creating simulated time-dependent 3D traffic environmental data by applying a time-dependent 3D generic adversarial network (GAN) model to the created time-dependent 3D traffic environment data; and training a computer-based autonomous driving model using the simulated time-dependent 3D traffic environmental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Song, Jun Peng, Nengxiu Deng, Sinan Xiao, Tao Qin, Tiancheng Lou, Tianyi Li, Xiang Yu, Yubo Zhang
  • Patent number: 11390320
    Abstract: An EPS controller reduces a turning angle of front wheels when it is determined that a normative yaw rate is larger than an actual yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ueno, Hiroshi Ito, Takashi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 11385073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for aircraft navigation along a predetermined airway, including an on-board navigation system supplying a positioning integrity of the aircraft during flight relative to said airway respecting an expected position precision performance level, and at least one on-board radio receiver on the aircraft suitable for communicating with at least one land-based radio beacon suitable for supplying a distance of the aircraft relative to said radio beacon. The system includes a module configured to obtain, from a current position of the aircraft and stored data, a tuple of radio beacons to be used, a module configured to obtain a distance measurement of the aircraft relative to each of the N radio beacons of said tuple, a module configured to compute an integrity position from distance measurements obtained by a predetermined computing method, and a module configured to use the computed integrity position as current integrity position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Marc Riedinger, Jean-Pierre Arethens, Philippe Chaix
  • Patent number: 11378988
    Abstract: An aircrew automation system may comprise an actuation system and a computer system having a processor and one or more interfaces. The computer system can be communicatively coupled with a flight control system of an aircraft and configured to generate control commands based at least in part on flight situation data. The actuation system is operatively coupled with the computer system and comprises a robotic arm, a force sensor, and a controller. The robotic arm can be configured to engage a cockpit instrument among a plurality of cockpit instruments. The force sensor is operably coupled to the robotic arm and configured to measure a force when the robotic arm makes contact with the cockpit instrument. The controller is operably coupled with the robotic arm and the force sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: William Bosworth, Devin Richard Jensen, Margaret Reagan
  • Patent number: 11370428
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to apparatus, methods, and non-transitory storage medium for controlling the maximum speed of a vehicle as that vehicle travels along a route. Apparatus and methods consistent with the present disclosure may receive location information from an electronic device that is located at a vehicle and may provide information to the electronic device at that controls the maximum speed of the vehicle as speed limits change along the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SPEEDGAUGE, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hubbard, Christopher A. Kantarjiev
  • Patent number: 11364901
    Abstract: A driving support apparatus according to the invention estimates the position of a moving body by controlling a position estimation unit when the tracking-target moving body leaves a first area or a second area to enter a blind spot area and detects the position of the moving body by controlling a position detection unit when the moving body leaves the blind spot area to enter the first area or the second area. In this manner, the trajectory of the tracking-target moving body is calculated so that the trajectory of the moving body detected in the first area or the second area and the trajectory of the moving body estimated in the blind spot area are continuous to each other and driving support is executed based on the calculated trajectory of the tracking-target moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Quy Hung Nguyen Van, Shoichi Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 11365973
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for drone-based scanning of products in a retail space, for providing location-based services at the retail space. A system may include a drone aircraft or other self-navigating vehicle. The drone or vehicle automatically moves along the shelves of the retail space, after business hours, scanning product identifiers, and feeds product location information to a location-based-services server. The location-based services server may then provide a map of the retail space with product locations on the map that is accessible to a user's mobile device when the user is in the retail space. In this way, users can be guided directly to the current locations of potentially thousands of products that dynamically change locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventor: Motasem Al Amour
  • Patent number: 11341853
    Abstract: A handheld, portable device is used to facilitate inspection of vehicles, by generating an electronic vehicle inspection record that can be used by fleet operators to provide evidence of complying with required vehicle inspections. When the vehicle inspection record is generated, route identification data is added to the inspection record. The route identification data defines which of a plurality of predefined routes the vehicle has serviced, or will service, during a time period proximate the inspection of the vehicle. Fleet operators can thus use archived inspection records as evidence of compliance with inspection requirements, and to document what route a vehicle serviced at a particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Brett Brinton
  • Patent number: 11326888
    Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices for operating an autonomous vehicle are provided. For example, a vehicle computing system can receive sensor data including information based on sensor outputs associated with detection of objects in an environment by sensors of a vehicle. Inflection points can be determined based at least in part on the sensor data. The inflection points can correspond to portions of the objects that occlude detection of the environment beyond the portions of the objects. A set of polar coordinates can be determined for each of the one or more inflection points. The set of polar coordinates can include a distance from the sensors to a portion of the objects and an angle of the sensor with respect to the portion of the objects. Furthermore, sparse map data including the set of polar coordinates can be generated based on the set of polar coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Shivam Gautam, Brian C. Becker
  • Patent number: 11318050
    Abstract: A software application and system may be configured to enable a smartphone or other device to be used by a visually impaired person to receive voice navigation guidance during a directed exploration of an area. Directed exploration uses combinations of location data, directional data, and orientation data from the configured device to determine a direction that user wishes to explore, and only providing narrated results for streets, businesses, and other points of interest in that direction. The system may also utilize sets of wireless indicators positioned within indoor areas to provide accurate positioning to particular locations and floors within buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Creasy, John Karr, Mark Klarer, Rob Meredith, Larry Skutchan, Joe Wegner
  • Patent number: 11312359
    Abstract: A method for calculating a management setpoint for managing fuel and electric power consumption of a hybrid motor vehicle. The method includes: a) acquiring, via a navigation system, a journey to be made, b) dividing the journey into successive sections, c) acquiring, for each section, attributes characterizing the section, d) deducing a relation linking the estimated fuel consumption of the hybrid motor vehicle over the section to the estimated electric power consumption of the hybrid motor vehicle, e) measuring the actual fuel consumption and the actual electric power consumption of the motor vehicle, f) correcting the relation, taking into account the actual fuel and electric power consumptions, and g) determining an optimal consumption point in each of the corrected relations in order to minimize the fuel consumption of the motor vehicle over the journey as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Abdel-Djalil Ourabah, Benjamin Quost, Thierry Denoeux
  • Patent number: 11315434
    Abstract: A system may include a display and a processor communicatively coupled to the display. The processor may be configured to: output, to the display, a synthetic vision system (SVS) taxi mode exocentric view of an aircraft while the aircraft is performing taxi operations, while the aircraft is on ground, and when the aircraft is not in a predetermined exclusion zone, the predetermined exclusion zone including portions of a runway where the aircraft is able to begin taking off; and output, to the at least one display, an SVS flight mode egocentric view from the aircraft when the aircraft is in the predetermined exclusion zone. The display may be configured to display the SVS taxi mode exocentric view until the aircraft is in the predetermined exclusion zone and display the SVS flight mode egocentric view when the aircraft is in the predetermined exclusion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcin Kolesinski, Jason Davis, Patrick D. McCusker
  • Patent number: 11287820
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate generally to autonomous vehicles. The features described improve the safety, use, driver experience, and performance of these vehicles by performing a behavior analysis on mobile objects in the vicinity of an autonomous vehicle. Specifically, the autonomous vehicle is capable of detecting nearby objects, such as vehicles and pedestrians, and is able to determine how the detected vehicles and pedestrians perceive their surroundings. The autonomous vehicle may then use this information to safely maneuver around all nearby objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, David I. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11285818
    Abstract: A driving torque command generating apparatus and method of an eco-friendly vehicle are provided. The apparatus and method obtain rapid reaction and response of the vehicle in response to a driving input while effectively reducing NVH problems caused by torsion and backlash of a drive system even during a significant change in driving force caused by the driving input. Torsional state information of a vehicle drive system is obtained from input information regarding a motor speed and a wheel speed detected by a motor speed detector and a wheel speed detector. A motor torque command is generated based on a driving input value input by a driving input value detector and the obtained torsional state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Won Oh, Jeong Soo Eo, Sang Joon Kim, Lee Hyoung Cho