Patents Examined by James J Lee
  • Patent number: 11912300
    Abstract: Systems and methods to perform behavioral planning in an autonomous vehicle from a reference state involve generating a set of actions of a fixed size and fixed order according to a predefined methodology. Each action is a semantic instruction for a next motion of the vehicle. A set of trajectories is generated from the set of actions as an instruction indicating a path and a velocity profile to generate steering angles and accelerations for implementation by the vehicle. A trajectory filter is applied to filter the set of trajectories such that unfiltered trajectories are candidate trajectories. Applying the trajectory filter includes assessing the path and velocity profile indicated by each of the set of trajectories. A selected trajectory is used to control the vehicle or the action that corresponds to the selected trajectory is used in trajectory planning to generate a final trajectory that is used to control the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roi Reshef
  • Patent number: 11912357
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for influential control over a driver's operation of a vehicle's steering wheel. Upon issuing an autonomous control signal to control motive operation of the vehicle, an autonomous control system of the vehicle may reinforce or influence the application of the autonomous control signal by inducing or cuing to induce the driver's hand(s) to turn the vehicle's steering wheel in a particular direction or by a particular amount/with a particular level of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Ludwig Kuehner, Nicholas Charles Fishwick
  • Patent number: 11915531
    Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing equipment including determining, by one or more computing devices, a workscope associated with the equipment; and at least partially-autonomously servicing the equipment in response to the determined workscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Oliver Crispin Robotics Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, David Scott Diwinsky, Julian Matthew Foxall
  • Patent number: 11912291
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an autonomous vehicle and a system for the autonomous vehicle. The system may include: a power supply including a first power output and a second power output; a master computing unit arranged to be powered by the first power output, configured to control operations of the autonomous vehicle in response to detecting the second power output, and configured to provide a third power output by adjusting the first power output; and a slave computing unit arranged to be powered by the second power output, and configured to control the operations of the autonomous vehicle in response to detecting a failure of the master computing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: APOLLO INTELLIGENT DRIVING TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lijun Ju, Chengfa Wang, Junping Wang, Fan Yang
  • Patent number: 11915529
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a first communication interface that is designed for communication with a server device and/or a mobile device. The processing unit also has a second communication interface, which is designed for communication with the mobile device. The processing unit further has an internal communication interface of the processing unit, which is designed for communication with a vehicle bus network of the vehicle. The processing unit is designed to receive vehicle access data, which is representative of an access authorization of a driver to the vehicle via the second communication interface. The processing unit is also designed to determine depending on the vehicle access data a release signal for enabling a use of the vehicle and to provide it to the internal communication interface. The processing unit is also designed to receive vehicle analysis data via the internal communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hakan Demir, Christof Gebhart, Frank Hergemoeller, Philipp Keller, Maximilian Krautwig, Kerstin Landrock
  • Patent number: 11915534
    Abstract: A method of providing vehicle diagnostics may include receiving a first communication from a user, processing the first communication using a natural language processing (NLP) model to produce NLP model output including a sequence of words, extracting one or more keywords from the sequence of words, and instructing a data acquisition and transfer device (DAT) connected to an OBD port of a vehicle to perform a selected function based on the one or more keywords. The method may further include receiving diagnostic data from the DAT, the diagnostic data having been retrieved from the vehicle by the DAT in accordance with the selected function, and determining a diagnostic condition of the vehicle based on the diagnostic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Phuong Pham, Ly Bach, Van Nguyen, Bruce Brunda
  • Patent number: 11904897
    Abstract: The safety management apparatus comprises a protective shield with automatic opening and closing, a sensor configured to obtain physical information related to an occupant boarded an autonomous traveling cart, and a controller configured to control the opening and closing of the protective shield. The protective shield is configured to be normally open and, when closed, shield an occupant space of the cart from the outside. The controller includes at least one memory including at least one program, and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory. The at least one processor executes a first process and a second process upon execution of the at least one program. The first process is to determine whether the occupant is an infant based on the physical information. The second process, which is executed when the occupant is determined to be an infant, is to close the protective shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Sato, Daisuke Ishii, Hiroki Izu, Hiroki Morita, Kei Sato, Masaki Nanahara, Kazumi Serizawa, Hironobu Tanaka, Shunsuke Mogi, Takashi Hayashi, Akihiro Kusumoto, Tetsuya Kanata, Yozo Iwami, Yuhei Katsumata, Daisaku Honda, Saki Narita, Hideki Fukudome, Takuya Watabe, Naoko Ichikawa, Yuta Maniwa, Yuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11897447
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes generating initial state of charge and vehicle velocity profiles for a travel route, for each initial velocity setpoint defining the vehicle velocity profile, generating a plurality of updated state of charge setpoints, for each of the initial velocity setpoints, selecting one of the updated state of charge setpoints to define an updated state of charge profile, for each of the updated state of charge setpoints that defines the updated state of charge profile, generating a plurality of updated velocity setpoints, for each of the updated state of charge setpoints that defines the updated state of charge profile, selecting one of the updated velocity setpoints to define an updated velocity profile, and controlling operation of an electric machine and engine according to the updated state of charge profile and updated velocity profile over the travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Cheng, Bokai Chen, Yousaf Rahman, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 11900818
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for predicting time varying loudness in a geographic region. Training data, including noise information, weather information, and traffic information is collected from a plurality of sensors located in a plurality of geographic regions. The information is collected during multiple time periods. The noise information includes time varying loudness. Static features of the geographic regions are also defined and included in the training data. The static and time varying dynamic features train a model. The model is used predict time varying loudness within a different region and at a time later than times the training data is collected. The predicted loudness levels are utilized, in some aspects, to determine a route for an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: JOBY AERO, INC.
    Inventors: Alireza Rostamzadeh, Rohit Goyal, Ryan Cunningham, Jane Yen Hung, Stanley Swaintek
  • Patent number: 11897517
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an information processing device includes one or more processors. The processors are configured to: acquire a plurality of pieces of detection information including detection results at two-dimensional positions different from each other acquired by detection of an object by one or more detection devices through a transmission body, the plurality of pieces of detection information including distortion due to the transmission body that exists between the detection devices and the object; detect a feature point from each of the plurality of pieces of detection information; and estimate, by minimizing an error between a three-dimensional position corresponding to the feature point and a detection position of the feature point corrected based on a distortion map expressing distortion at each of the two-dimensional positions, the distortion map, the three-dimensional position, and the detection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takayuki Sugiura, Akihito Seki
  • Patent number: 11897519
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing multiple driver stations in a track vehicle is described. A primary driver station can utilize controls with hybrid drive by wire (DbW) functionality (i.e. hydro-mechanical and electric control). A secondary driver station and a tertiary driver station can utilize controls with DbW (i.e. electronic) control systems. The secondary and tertiary driver stations can be adapted for autonomous driving. The invention also includes a method of transfer between driver stations with safeguards for safety and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ST ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Tze Meng Jensen Chew, Fu-Jun Timmy Low
  • Patent number: 11891075
    Abstract: A redundant hardware and software architecture can be designed to enable vehicles to be operated in an autonomous mode while improving the reliability and/or safety of such vehicles. A system for redundant architecture can include a set of at least two redundant sensors coupled to a vehicle and configured to provide timestamped sensor data to each of a plurality of computing unit (CU) computers. The CU computers can process the sensor data simultaneously based on at least a time value indicative of an absolute time or a relative time and based on the timestamped sensor data. The CU computers provide to a vehicle control unit (VCU) computer at least two sets of outputs configured to instruct a plurality of devices in a vehicle and cause the vehicle to be driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Frederic Rocha, Zehua Huang, Xiaoling Han, Ruiliang Zhang, Esayas Naizghi, Changyi Zhao
  • Patent number: 11891093
    Abstract: A control device that comprises a processor that executes instructions to cause a mobile object to travel autonomously is provided. The processor controls the mobile object based on a conditions-varying travel path so that an automated control of the mobile object does not change even if travel conditions of the conditions-varying travel path vary. The processor also executes instructions to determine a route to a destination. The processor determines the route using automated-driving map information that comprises a travel path other than the conditions-varying travel path when the mobile object travels by automated driving. The processor also determines the route using manual-driving map information that comprises the conditions-varying travel path when the mobile object travels by manual driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Etsuo Watanabe, Ryoichi Inoue, Yuki Motegi
  • Patent number: 11891087
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to generating behavioral predictions in reaction to autonomous vehicle movement. In one example, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system, local scene data associated with an environment external to an autonomous vehicle, the local scene data including actor data for an actor in the environment external to the autonomous vehicle. The method includes extracting, by the computing system and from the local scene data, one or more actor prediction parameters for the actor using a machine-learned parameter extraction model. The method includes determining, by the computing system, a candidate motion plan for the autonomous vehicle. The method includes generating, by the computing system and using a machine-learned prediction model, a reactive prediction for the actor based at least in part on the one or more actor prediction parameters and the candidate motion plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Micol Marchetti-Bowick, Yiming Gu
  • Patent number: 11884270
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and autonomous vehicles may obtain one or more images associated with an environment surrounding an autonomous vehicle; determine, based on the one or more images, an orientation of a head worn item of protective equipment of an operator of a vehicle; determine, based on the orientation of the head worn item of protective equipment, a direction of a gaze of the operator and a time period associated with the direction of the gaze of the operator; determine, based on the direction of the gaze of the operator and the time period associated with the direction of the gaze of the operator, a predicted motion path of the vehicle; and control, based on the predicted motion path of the vehicle, at least one autonomous driving operation of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Whinnery
  • Patent number: 11884160
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes one or more traction motors and an electrical device configured to be electrically coupled with the one or more traction motors. The one or more traction motors are configured to propel a vehicle and to generate electric power during rollback of the vehicle down a grade. The electrical device is configured to consume the electric power generated from the rollback of the vehicle by performing work with the electric power during the rollback of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Chandrakant Basappa Mopagar, Rajeev Verma, Venkateswara Reddy Maram, Rajendra Prasad Chittimalla
  • Patent number: 11878718
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes identifying a user identity associated with a user riding in the vehicle, determining a destination associated with the user identity, creating a detection zone proximate to the vehicle when the vehicle is localized in a first drop-off location associated with the destination, causing a sensory system to identify a hazard within the detection zone and generate a localization of the hazard, determining that a first probability of realizing a risk associated with the hazard is less than a first probability threshold, and generating a vehicle door actuation that permits the user to exit the vehicle based on the first probability of realizing the risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nithya Somanath, Bhagyashri Satyabodha Katti, Joseph Wisniewski, Finn Finn Tseng, Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11878712
    Abstract: A computer-implement method for operating an ADV is disclosed. A first trajectory for the ADV to drive along is planned. The ADV is to autonomously drive along the first trajectory. An obstacle in an affected region of the ADV is detected based on sensor data obtained from a plurality of sensors mounted on the ADV. An expected residence time of the obstacle in the affected region is determined. Whether to plan a second trajectory or to wait for the obstacle to leave the affected region is determined based on the expected residence time of the obstacle in the affected region. A second trajectory for the ADV to drive along is planned and the ADV is to autonomously drive along the second trajectory, or the ADV is to wait for the obstacle to leave the affected region and to autonomously drive along the first trajectory afterwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: BAIDU USA LLC, BAIDU.COM TIMES TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ning Yu, Fan Zhu, Jingjing Xue
  • Patent number: 11878588
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for activating a function subject to authorization in a vehicle comprising a system of digital rear-view mirrors with at least first and second touch screens, arranged on the driver's and passenger's side, respectively. The vehicle comprises members suitable for providing at least one function subject to authorization. The method comprises detection, by one of the members, of an action by a person that requires the activation of a function subject to authorization; —transmission, from the member to the system of digital rear-view mirrors, of information relating to the detection; —receipt, from the system of digital rear-view mirrors, of the information relating to the detection originating from the member, —display, on one of the touch screens, of a notification comprising the function subject to authorization, and; an interaction zone suitable for receiving either an agreement or a refusal from the driver and/or the front passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventors: Charles Moreau, Loic Bayard, Pierre Quinio, Eric Eledut, Maxime Savignac
  • Patent number: 11875616
    Abstract: A vehicle state monitoring device includes a storage device configured to store information relating to a vehicle traveling under power from an engine; a determining device configured to determine a state of the vehicle using the information stored in the storage device; and a storage control device. The storage control device is configured to, each time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance, store a frequency relation as the information in the storage device. The frequency relation is a relation between revolutions of the engine, a fuel-related parameter that is a load factor or a fuel injection rate of the engine, and a running frequency of the engine at the revolutions and the fuel-related parameter while the vehicle travels the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiya Yamashita, Tetsu Yamada