Patents Examined by Kevin P Mahne
  • Patent number: 11420679
    Abstract: A steering assist apparatus is configured to, when performing a steering assist control for parking, perform one or both of the following processes (a) and (b): (a) a first setting process for setting a movement path when an oncoming lane is present, the first setting process being a process for setting the movement path in such a manner that a vehicle body does not enter the oncoming lane side from an own lane across a center line or a predetermined line obtained by translating the center line; and (b) a second setting process for setting the movement path when a following vehicle is present, the second setting process being a process for setting the movement path in such a manner that a distance between the vehicle body and a parking-possible region is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Ohtani, Shinya Sannodo, Yuki Minase
  • Patent number: 11400834
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling an interior configuration of a vehicle. The system may include an interior vehicle component, an actuator component configured to adjust a physical configuration of the interior vehicle component, an external communication component configured to collect driving environment data representing an external environment of the vehicle, and one or more processors configured to receive driving environment data and detect, by processing the driving environment data, an external driving condition. When the one or more processors detect the external driving condition, the one or more processors may cause the actuator component to adjust the interior vehicle component from a first physical configuration to a second physical configuration, or may cause the actuator component to restrict movement of the interior vehicle component to a predetermined range of physical configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson, Scott T. Christensen, Stephen R. Prevatt
  • Patent number: 11402223
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating scenic routes and safe parking locations near scenic points are provided. Based at least in part upon a driver indication of a preference for a scenic route from an origin location to a destination location, a mobile device application may generate a scenic route by selecting route segments between the origin location and the destination location associated with a large number of scenic points. Scenic points may be identified based at least in part upon historical driver telemetry data and POI data. For instance, if historical telemetry data indicates that a large number of drivers stop briefly at a location not known to be near a POI, that location may be a scenic location (e.g., a location where drivers frequently leave their vehicles to take photos). Additionally, safe parking locations near each scenic point may be identified based at least in part upon historical vehicle damage data, and navigation directions to safe parking locations may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: BlueOwl, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Grealish-Rust, Theobolt N. Leung, Kenneth Jason Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11397433
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for autonomous navigation based on user intervention. In one implementation, a navigation system for a vehicle may include least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to receive from a camera, at least one environmental image associated with the vehicle, determine a navigational maneuver for the vehicle based on analysis of the at least one environmental image, cause the vehicle to initiate the navigational maneuver, receive a user input associated with a user's navigational response different from the initiated navigational maneuver, determine navigational situation information relating to the vehicle based on the received user input, and store the navigational situation information in association with information relating to the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Amnon Shashua
  • Patent number: 11378961
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an obstacle is predicted to move from a starting point to an end point based on perception data perceiving a driving environment surrounding an ADV that is driving within a lane. A longitudinal movement trajectory from the starting point to the end point is generated in view of a shape of the lane. A lateral movement trajectory from the starting point to the end point is generated, including optimizing a shape of the lateral movement trajectory using a first polynomial function. The longitudinal movement trajectory and the lateral movement trajectory are then combined to form a final predicted trajectory that predicts how the obstacle is to move. A path is generated to control the ADV to move in view of the predicted trajectory of the obstacle, for example, to avoid the collision with the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Kecheng Xu, Jinghao Miao, Yajia Zhang
  • Patent number: 11377100
    Abstract: A behavior prediction system includes an information obtainer, a probability distribution model generator, a map generator, and a display. The information obtainer obtains information on a traveling direction of a moving object whose behavior is to be predicted. The probability distribution model generator generates a probability distribution model regarding a traveling direction of the moving object based on the information on an obtained traveling direction of the moving object. The map generator uses the probability distribution model to calculate probabilities that the moving object passes through respective areas into which a movable region of the moving object is divided and that generates a probability map in which the probabilities are assigned to the respective areas. The display displays the probability map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoaki Itabashi, Mitsuru Kono, Satoshi Hoshino, Takeshi Katsumoto
  • Patent number: 11373533
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus acquires a position of an other vehicle that is present ahead of the own vehicle in its traveling direction, and uses the acquired position of the other vehicle to calculate a movement locus, which is a past path of the other vehicle. The vehicle control device calculates a lateral movement amount of the movement locus in a predetermined range in the traveling direction of the own vehicle, the lateral movement amount being an amount of change in position in a lateral direction which is a direction intersecting the traveling direction, and calculates an average value of the lateral movement amounts. The vehicle control apparatus excludes, from the movement loci, a movement locus having a lateral movement amount whose difference from the average value is larger than a predetermined value, and calculates the predicted path based on remaining movement loci.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatoshi Tosa, Yohei Masui, Takashi Maeda
  • Patent number: 11367361
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: examining data specifying a plurality of alternative candidate routes for travel by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a current location of the UAV to a destination location; selecting one of the alternative candidate routes as a selected route for travel by the UAV; and controlling the UAV so that while the UAV travels along the selected route the UAV emulates a ground based vehicle (GBV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Kyndryl, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. O'Connell, James E. Bostick, Martin G. Keen, John M. Ganci, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11364995
    Abstract: A multi-rotor vehicle includes a plurality of electric motors and edge computing systems (ECSs). The electric motors are operatively coupled to respective rotors, and cause the respective rotors to rotate relative to the airframe. The ECSs are independent, distinct and distributed to the electric motors, each operatively coupled to a respective electric motor and thereby a respective rotor. Each ECS is configured to acquire and process sensor data for the respective rotor to determine rotor status information, and execute motor commands to control the respective electric motor and thereby the respective rotor. The ECSs are configured according to a model in which any of the ECSs is selectable as a primary ECS, and others of the ECSs are operable as secondary ECSs, the secondary ECSs configured to communicate respective rotor status information to the primary ECS, and the primary ECS configured to provide the motor commands to the secondary ECSs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Jian Dong, Michael James Duffy, Douglas C. Cameron, Naveed Moayyed Hussain
  • Patent number: 11338751
    Abstract: There is provided an occupant protection device for a vehicle, the occupant protection device including a side collision prediction device configured to predict a collision with a side of a host vehicle and output a prediction result including determination about whether or not the predicted collision is an inevitable collision, a physical quantity detection device configured to detect a physical quantity related to the collision with the side of the host vehicle and output a detection value of the physical quantity, an airbag device configured to expand to protect an occupant of the vehicle when the airbag device is operated, and an electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Mase, Hisashi Hagiwara, Takashi Fujinami
  • Patent number: 11328608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a string comprising a plurality of vehicles platooning by means of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, comprising collecting (S1) from a plurality of sources (111, 1021, 1022, 1023) values (OP1-OP3) of operational parameters related to the operation of a first (1) of the vehicles, characterized by determining (S2) based on the operational parameter values (OP1-OP3) a plurality of values (AP1-AP3) of an acceleration parameter indicative of an acceleration of the first vehicle, and selecting (S3) from the acceleration parameter values (AP1-AP3) an extreme value (AP2) indicative of the lowest acceleration of the first vehicle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Bergquist, Wilhelm Wiberg
  • Patent number: 11312379
    Abstract: A method for occupancy map synchronization in multi-vehicle networks may include receiving three-dimensional perception sensor (3DPS) data. The method may include generating a data message including an occupancy map (OM) octree. The OM octree may be generated from an occupancy map constructed from the 3DPS data. The method may include reducing at least one of a messaging time or a messaging size of the data message including the OM octree. The method may include transmitting the data message including the OM octree via a leader vehicle controller communicatively coupled to a leader vehicle. The method may include receiving the data message comprising the OM octree via a follower vehicle controller communicatively coupled to the follower vehicle. The method may include generating a local occupancy map from the data message comprising the OM octree via the follower vehicle controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Max G. Taylor, Christopher M. Boggs, Joel J. Fuster
  • Patent number: 11291152
    Abstract: This machine includes a tool (30) actuated by an actuating module (32); a dual-frequency satellite positioning module (40) able to take into account corrections relative to the disruptions affecting the propagation of radio navigation signals emitted by each of the visible radio navigation satellites and that are caused by the ionosphere, so as to determine an absolute position of the machine, and consequently of the tool, which is precise to within a centimeter; and a computer (50) able to compare the instantaneous absolute position of the tool and an absolute position of a current revisiting point, selected from among the revisiting points of a revisiting plan, the computer then being able to command the actuation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES
    Inventor: Denis Laurichesse
  • Patent number: 11280620
    Abstract: An approach is provided for a campaign management platform to update map data. The approach, for example, involves receiving, by the campaign management platform, a map update request to update the digital map data for a geographic area. The approach also involves generating a sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed within the geographic area. The sensor data collection event is part of a campaign to update the digital map for the geographic area. The approach further involves transmitting the sensor data request to a target number of vehicles. The target number of vehicles perform the sensor data collection event in the geographic area to collect sensor data. The approach further involves processing the sensor data to update the digital map data for the geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Zoltan Gaal, Dennis Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11270589
    Abstract: A surrounding vehicle display device includes: a surrounding information detection device that obtains information on surroundings of a host vehicle; a virtual image generation unit that uses the information obtained by the surrounding information detection device to generate a virtual image that indicates the surroundings of the host vehicle as being viewed from above the host vehicle; and a controller that starts examination of whether to perform the auto lane change before performing the auto lane change. The controller starts the examination of whether to perform the auto lane change before performing the auto lane change and then makes a display region of the surroundings of the host vehicle on the virtual image wider than a display region before the examination is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youji Shimizu, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Seiko Kawai, Katsumi Kimura, Ryusuke Ueki
  • Patent number: 11256253
    Abstract: An automated aircraft recovery system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an interface configured to receive sensor data; and a control mechanism configured to: perform automatically a recovery action that is determined based at least in part on the sensor data. In various embodiments, the control mechanism may determine an expected state of an aircraft, determine whether a state of the aircraft matches the expected state, and in the event the state of the aircraft does not match the expected state, perform the recovery action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron Robertson, Joseph Roop, Todd Reichert, Damon Vander Lind
  • Patent number: 11240962
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an agricultural harvesting campaign is disclosed in which predetermined harvesting activities are processed within a campaign timeline by a plurality of agricultural working machines of a machine fleet on a field allotment assigned to the harvesting campaign. The control of the harvesting campaign is executed on different application levels by continuously generating information, wherein the generated information is continuously provided to all of the application levels, and the generated data comprise remotely-sensed field information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Bastian Kriebel, Jannik Redenius, Bastian Bormann, Joachim Baumgarten, Andreas Skiba
  • Patent number: 11235742
    Abstract: A method and system include a vehicle control system including a multi-vehicle system. The system includes a controller. The controller determines a slack condition of a multi-vehicle system while the multi-vehicle system is parked. The controller determines the slack condition based on one or more sensor signals received from at least one sensor, the controller configured to control movement of the multi-vehicle system based on the slack condition that is determined while transitioning from being parked to forward motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Alan Schoenly, Patricia Sue Lacy, Matthew Ensley
  • Patent number: 11235777
    Abstract: Self-driving and autonomous vehicles are very popular these days for scientific, technological, social, and economical reasons. In one aspect of this technology, path prediction and target classifications are main pillars and enablers for safety and mobility applications. Accurate Estimation of the lane assignment of the remote vehicle with respect to the host vehicle lane results in the accurate threat assessment. V2X and C-V2X are emerging technology for safety applications, and they cover relatively long range. Long range means more room for error in path prediction/target classification. Therefore, here, we offer an efficient path prediction and target classification algorithm to enable these technologies performing safety and mobility applications. The method fuses target vehicles data and host vehicle data in an efficient algorithm to perform this task. Other variations are also presented here.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Faroog Ibrahim, Chauhan Tanuj Shashikantbhai, Veeranna Ashokappa Halannanavar
  • Patent number: 11215630
    Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus and methods for modeling air flow from flight responses in aerial vehicles. Sensor data is received for aerial vehicles in a geographic area. The pose (e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw) of the aerial vehicles is calculated from the sensor data. One or more wind vectors are calculated based, at least in part, on the pose. An air flow model is generated from the wind vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Pavel Ivanov, Artem Vassilyev, Stanislav Krainikov, Tatiana Vyunova