Patents Examined by James M McPherson
  • Patent number: 11486727
    Abstract: A map generation device extracts, by inputting an image in which a road is represented to a classifier that outputs, for each pixel of the image, a type of a feature object on the road represented by the pixel, a pixel representing a boundary feature object that represents a boundary of a lane among feature objects on the road, calculates a Voronoi boundary by Voronoi-dividing the image with each pixel representing the boundary feature object as a generating point, detects each of the calculated Voronoi boundaries as one lane, and generates map information representing each of the detected lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11472356
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle, the vehicle control system comprising a controller, wherein the controller has an activatable secondary parked mode in which the controller automatically controls a plurality of components of the vehicle, each component also being controllable by a corresponding user control, and activation of the secondary parked mode changes the state of each component from an in-use state to a parked state when the vehicle attends a delivery or collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Murray, Ian Sutherland Wright, Torsten Gerhardt, Christopher Wright, Daniel Tauber
  • Patent number: 11472549
    Abstract: A method may include determining a location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); generating a set of mission plans based on the location of the UAV, each mission plan including respective mission plan parameters; receiving a selection of a mission plan of the set of mission plans; obtaining mission plan parameters for the selected mission plan; and transmitting the obtained mission plan parameters to the UAV to configure the UAV according to the obtained mission parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sentera, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Taipale
  • Patent number: 11472294
    Abstract: A braking control apparatus to be installed an electric vehicle includes an acceleration and deceleration operation member, a controller, and a recognizer. The acceleration and deceleration operation member receives an acceleration request in accordance with an operation amount in a first direction from a neutral position, and receive a deceleration request in accordance with an operation amount in a second direction from the neutral position. The controller controls an amount of power regenerated by a rotary electric machine driven by wheels in accordance with the operation amount in the second direction. The recognizer recognizes a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the electric vehicle. Upon detection of the preceding vehicle at a relative distance from the electric vehicle that is equal to or less than a threshold, the controller performs braking suppression control to decrease the amount of power regenerated in accordance with the operation amount in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Yoshida, Katsuya Tomiie, Masashi Ban, Makoto Sonoki, Osamu Saito, Yuki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11467273
    Abstract: A method includes recording a first timestamp of a detection of an event with a first array of an array of light sensors or an array of acoustic sensors. The array of light sensors and the array of acoustic sensors are mounted on a same chassis. The method further includes determining a direction of the event, based on the detection with the first array; recording a second timestamp of a detection of the event by a second array of the array of light sensors or the array of audio sensors; determining a distance of the event from the arrays of light and audio sensors, based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp; and controlling a vehicle, based on the event, the vehicle including the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Aman Ashwin Diwakar, Gabriel Warshauer-Baker
  • Patent number: 11467602
    Abstract: Systems and methods for training a robot to autonomously travel a route. In one embodiment, a robot can detect an initial placement in an initialization location. Beginning from the initialization location, the robot can create a map of a navigable route and surrounding environment during a user-controlled demonstration of the navigable route. After the demonstration, the robot can later detect a second placement in the initialization location, and then autonomously navigate the navigable route. The robot can then subsequently detect errors associated with the created map. Methods and systems associated with the robot are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Brain Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Passot, Andrew Smith, Botond Szatmary, Borja Ibarz Gabardos, Cody Griffin, Jaldert Rombouts, Oleg Sinyavskiy, Eugene Izhikevich
  • Patent number: 11469691
    Abstract: An unmanned aircraft includes: a processor; and at least two generators that generate thrust for the unmanned aircraft to fly, the at least two generators each including a corresponding one of rotor blades that produce airflows. In the unmanned aircraft, the processor generates a control request for changing a rotational speed of at least one of the rotor blades of the at least two generators to reduce a difference between rotational speeds, in response to start of sound recording by a microphone, and the at least two generators rotate the rotor blades in accordance with the control request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen William John, Kazunobu Konishi, Katsuhiko Asai, Kazuo Inoue
  • Patent number: 11460856
    Abstract: Systems and methods for driver behavior recognition is provided. In one embodiment a computer implemented method includes receiving image data associated with a general objects. The method also includes identifying a reactive object and an inert object from the general objects based on the image data. An ego reactive graph is generated for the reactive object based on a reactive feature of the reactive object and a reactive position vector. An ego inert graph is generated for the inert object based on an inert feature of the inert object and an inert distance. The method further includes performing interaction modeling based on the ego reactive graphs and the ego inert graphs to generate updated features. The method also includes performing temporal modeling on the updated features. The method further includes determining an egocentric representation of a tactical driver behavior based at least in part on the updated features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Ting Chen, Chengxi Li, Yue Meng
  • Patent number: 11462101
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention determine positional data for each of a plurality of autonomous vehicles travelling on a common roadway that includes geographic coordinate location, vehicle speed, speed change and vehicle lane position data; determine a reaction value as an amount of change in positional data of a first autonomous vehicles caused in reaction to a causal change in positional data of a second of the autonomous vehicle; associate the reaction value to a volume of traffic flow at a time of occurrence; and, in response to a request for a change to positional data of a third autonomous vehicle that is similar to the causal change, estimate a cost of the request as a change to positional data of a fourth autonomous vehicles projected from the reaction value in proportion to a similarity of a traffic flow volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Martin G. Keen, John M. Ganci, Jr., James E. Bostick
  • Patent number: 11453409
    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) and increasing control system bandwidth by accounting for time-latency in a control subsystem actuation system. A control input is received from an ADV's autonomous driving system. The control input is translated into a control command of the control subsystem of the ADV. A reference actuation output and a predicted actuation output are generated corresponding to a by-wire (“real”) actuation action for the control subsystem. A control error is determined between the reference actuation action and the by-wire actuation action. A predicted control error is determined between the predicted actuation action and the between the by-wire actuation action. Adaptive gains are determined and applied to the by-wire actuation action to generate a second by-wire actuation action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Qi Luo, Shu Jiang, Jinghao Miao, Jiangtao Hu, Jingao Wang, Jinyun Zhou, Jiaxuan Xu
  • Patent number: 11453296
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a change in a wheel configuration associated with modifying an arrangement of hub motors that are selectively attachable on wheels of the vehicle, identifying attributes of the hub motors coupled with the wheels of the vehicle. The hub motors are structured to be attached to the wheels of the vehicle without removing the wheels from the vehicle. The method includes determining properties of the hub motors according to the attributes and the wheel configuration. Further, the method includes managing electrical power delivery to the hub motors to propel the vehicle according to the properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Nathan C. Westover
  • Patent number: 11447142
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for controlling an autonomous vehicle. For instance, a first probability distribution may be generated for the vehicle at a first future point in time using a generative model for predicting expected behaviors of objects and a set of characteristics for the vehicle at an initial time expected to be perceived by an observer. Planning system software of the vehicle may be used to generate a trajectory for the vehicle to follow. A second probability distribution may be generated for a second future point in time using the generative model based on the trajectory and a set of characteristics for the vehicle at the first future point expected to be perceived by the observer. A surprise assessment may be generated by comparing the first probability distribution to the second probability distribution. The vehicle may be controlled based on the surprise assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Johan Engstrom, Jared Russell
  • Patent number: 11447116
    Abstract: A method (200) for detecting the clearance of a brake (100) of a motor vehicle, in particular a utility motor vehicle, includes the following steps: reading measurement signals of a wear sensor (115) disposed on the brake (100), determining an output signal value that is representative of the non-actuated state of the brake from the measurement signals, determining an event signal value that is representative of the braking state of the brake from the measurement signals, and determining the clearance from the difference between the event signal value and the output signal value, wherein the measurement signals of the wear sensor are examined for the presence of a characteristic signal oscillation that arises as a result of bringing into contact the brake lining with the counterpart thereof that is to be braked. A controller (10) carries out the method on a brake (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: WABCO Europe BVBA
    Inventors: Marcus Keller, Mirko Seip
  • Patent number: 11447379
    Abstract: A controller for use with a machine includes a machine body, and a load handling apparatus coupled to the machine body and moveable by an actuator, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal representative of the orientation of the load handling apparatus with respect to a reference orientation and a signal representative of a moment of tilt of the machine, wherein the controller is further configured to issue a signal for use by an element of the machine including the movement actuator, which in response to the signal issued by the controller, is configured to restrict or substantially prevent a movement of the load handling apparatus when a value of the signal representative of the moment of tilt reaches a threshold value, the threshold value being dependent on the signal representative of the orientation of the load handling apparatus with respect to the reference orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: J.C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Samuel Josef Bell
  • Patent number: 11447012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit for displaying at least one remaining range in a motor vehicle in accordance with the remaining energy supply in at least one drive system, such as the tank fill level in a vehicle driven by a combustion engine and/or the state of charge of the high-voltage battery in a vehicle driven by an electric motor. The display of the remaining range may be hidden even when there is a remaining energy supply if at least one defined operating condition is met. A defined operating condition allows the conclusion that a unit of the drive system is at least temporarily unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ana Damjanovic, Keyvan Karami-Malamiri, Grigor Zapryanov, Joerg Moellmann
  • Patent number: 11440403
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for an electric vehicle that can set a final torque instruction value without necessitating a repetition of a calculation. A control apparatus calculates a power limit value of each motor that is used when power is supplied to a plurality of motors, based on a power limit value of a power source, and calculates a torque instruction value of each motor based on the power limit value of each motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Suzuki, Satoshi Kaneko, Kazuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11442459
    Abstract: Systems and methods for training machine-learned models are provided. A method can include receiving a rasterized image associated with a training object and generating a predicted trajectory of the training object by inputting the rasterized image into a first machine-learned model. The method can include converting the predicted trajectory into a rasterized trajectory that spatially corresponds to the rasterized image. The method can include utilizing a second machine-learned model to determine an accuracy of the predicted trajectory based on the rasterized trajectory. The method can include determining an overall loss for the first machine-learned model based on the accuracy of the predictive trajectory as determined by the second machine-learned model. The method can include training the first machine-learned model by minimizing the overall loss for the first machine-learned model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Henggang Cui, Junheng Wang, Sai Bhargav Yalamanchi, Mohana Prasad Sathya Moorthy, Fang-Chieh Chou, Nemanja Djuric
  • Patent number: 11442446
    Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft and system for flying a rotary-wing aircraft. The aircraft includes a servo system for actuating a rotor of the aircraft. A hydraulic system provides hydraulic power to the servo system, and a sensor measures a parameter of the hydraulic system. A processor determines a condition of the hydraulic system from the parameter and enforces an effective flight envelop based on the condition of the hydraulic system in order to fly the aircraft within the effective flight envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Thornberg, Derek H. Geiger, Joseph T. Driscoll, Ole Wulff
  • Patent number: 11434845
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle work guide system is disclosed. An industrial vehicle work guide system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a memory configured to store engine used data, a driving time, a fuel consumption amount, and reference fuel efficiency; a display module configured to output a guide message; and an analysis module configured to calculate actual fuel efficiency by using the engine used data, the driving time, and the fuel consumption amount, compare the actual fuel efficiency with the reference fuel efficiency, and control the display module so that the display module outputs a guide message when the actual fuel efficiency is lower than the reference fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: DOOSAN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung Kwon Lee
  • Patent number: 11438741
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coordinated transportation system and methods thereof. More particularly, this disclosure describes a system where passengers within two or more vehicles may enjoy a shared cabin experience. This may include, but is not limited to, a selection of music, sound clip, seat haptic, seat positioning, speaker setting, interior or exterior lighting, image or video for display, and drive mode to be shared among the vehicles. Vehicle formations to enhance the shared cabin experience may be formed. Furthermore, a global positioning system (GPS) coordinate may be established by a lead vehicle to provide other vehicles with the experience after those vehicles pass that coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koo Ho Shin