Patents Examined by Mikko Okechukwu Obioha
  • Patent number: 11643090
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller receives information of a route of a vehicle, and selects a first parameter set from among a plurality of parameter sets based on the route of the vehicle, the plurality of parameter sets corresponding to different conditions of usage of the vehicle, where each parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets includes one or more parameters that control adjustment of one or more respective adjustable elements of the vehicle. The controller causes application of the first parameter set to control a setting of the one or more adjustable elements of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Conrad Delbert Seaman, Claude Jean-Frederic Arzelier, Stephen McCann, Michael Peter Montemurro
  • Patent number: 11636179
    Abstract: An apparatus for a motor vehicle driver assistance system is provided. The apparatus is configured to optimise object clusters, where each object cluster includes a sequence of position measurements for at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle. Initially, in a pre-clustering phase, the assignment of the measured object positions to the object clusters may be based on the relative proximity of the measured object positions. The apparatus identifies a rogue object cluster on the basis of a first diagnostic, and a rogue object track from the measurements within the rogue object cluster. The position measurements from the rogue object track are removed from the clusters, and remaining position measurements in the rogue object cluster are reassigned to the other object clusters. The rogue object cluster is removed. Thus the object clusters are optimised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Arriver Software AB
    Inventor: Eugen Schäfer
  • Patent number: 11618481
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for agent trajectory prediction using anchor trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Yuning Chai, Benjamin Sapp, Mayank Bansal, Dragomir Anguelov
  • Patent number: 11619944
    Abstract: A method includes identifying route data including a threshold arrival time for a route for an autonomous vehicle (AV) and calculating, based on the route data and a fuel-efficient speed value for each segment of the route, an estimated arrival time. Responsive to the estimated arrival time not meeting the threshold arrival time, the method includes identifying at least a subset of segments that each represent a candidate for speed increase, computing, for each segment in the subset and based on the fuel economy data, a correlation metric that indicates a correlation between a change in fuel economy and a change in speed for a corresponding segment in the subset, and increasing, for at least one segment from the subset and based on a respective correlation metric, a fuel-efficient speed value of the corresponding segment from the subset to provide a speed profile reflecting the increased fuel-efficient speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: William Grossman, Peter Strohm
  • Patent number: 11603101
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to resolving a standoff by a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a happens-before relationship that explains events between the vehicle and other vehicles before the standoff. The standoff may be a dispute for a right of way between the vehicle and the other vehicles. The method also includes identifying the standoff using a causality relationship analysis according to the happens-before relationship. The method also includes generating a mitigation plan for the standoff that forms standoff solutions in association with the standoff being similar to a prior standoff. The method also includes resolving the standoff by causing vehicle maneuvers associated with the vehicle according to the standoff solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Seyhan Ucar, Takamasa Higuchi, Chang-Heng Wang, Dylan J. Lebedin, Onur Altintas
  • Patent number: 11572078
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle navigation guidance system and a vehicle. The system includes: a navigation controller, a steering angle sensor, a motor steering controller and a display controller. The steering angle sensor is communicatively connected to the navigation controller, and is configured to acquire rotational angular velocity information of a wheel relative to a vehicle body, and output the angular velocity information to the navigation controller. The navigation controller is configured to output navigation guidance information according to positioning information and the angular velocity information, where the navigation controller includes a first positioning device, and the first positioning device is configured to acquire the positioning information. The motor steering controller is communicatively connected to the navigation controller, and is configured to perform steering control according to the navigation guidance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Xuefeng Shen, Qiang Ren, Haifeng Deng, Wei Tian, Mangmang Xie, Changnan Guo, Xiaoyu Chen, Kewu Hu
  • Patent number: 11550324
    Abstract: Techniques and methods for identifying parking zones. For instance, a vehicle may identify a parking zone located near a destination location for the vehicle. The vehicle may then generate one or more lines representing the parking zone. Additionally, the vehicle may generate polygons representing objects located proximate to the parking zone. The vehicle may then determine whether the one or more lines intersect with one or more of the polygons. If the vehicle determines that the one or more lines intersect with one or more of the polygons, then the vehicle may identify one or more first portions of the parking zone that are occupied by one or more objects and as such, unavailable. Using the one or more first portions, the vehicle may identify one or more second portions of the parking zone that are not occupied by objects and as such, available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Zheyuan Xie, Joseph Funke, Steven Cheng Qian
  • Patent number: 11543263
    Abstract: Techniques for determining distortion in a map caused by measurement errors are discussed herein. For example, such techniques may include implementing a model to estimate map distortion between the map frame and the inertial frame. Data such as sensor data, map data, and vehicle state data may be input into the model. A map distortion value output from the model may be used to compensate vehicle operations in a local region by approximating the distortion as linearly varying about the region. A vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, can be controlled to traverse an environment based on the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Carsten Bosse, Brice Rebsamen, Francesco Papi
  • Patent number: 11535278
    Abstract: A control method for an autonomous vehicle is used in an autonomous vehicle including an engine, and a controller that controls an operation of the engine. In the control method, required driving force is set in accordance with an intervehicular distance between an own vehicle and a preceding vehicle when there is the preceding vehicle in front of the own vehicle. Also, when there is the preceding vehicle, a behavior of the preceding vehicle is predicted from a situation in front of the preceding vehicle. Further, when there is the preceding vehicle, sailing stop is executed based on the required driving force and the predicted behavior of the preceding vehicle. The sailing stop causes the engine to stop automatically while the own vehicle is traveling at vehicle speed equal to or higher than given vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 11529777
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A UAV carries a repair patch ensemble containing all repair materials (including a repair patch, a heating blanket and other ensemble materials) in a prepackaged form to the repair area. During flight of the UAV, the repair patch is vacuum adhered to the heating blanket. Vacuum pressure is also used to hold the repair patch ensemble in position on the composite surface of the structure. Then the hot bond process is enacted to bond the repair patch to the repair area. In accordance with one embodiment, the hot bond process involves heating the repair patch to adhesively bond the repair patch while applying vacuum pressure to consolidate the composite material. Then the repair patch is released from the ensemble and residual ensemble materials (heating blanket, bleeder material, and release films) are removed by the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph L. Hafenrichter, Gary E. Georgeson, James J. Troy, Gregory J. Sweers
  • Patent number: 11518389
    Abstract: A method of controlling braking when steering an in-wheel motor vehicle includes monitoring a required tire rotation angle for each steering angle and an actual tire rotation angle when performing cooperative control of an in-wheel motor for reducing a steering load, and generating a vehicle braking force in a case where the actual tire rotation angle exceeds the required tire rotation angle, thereby easily preventing a vehicle-skidding phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dae Suk Jung
  • Patent number: 11511769
    Abstract: A data collecting system includes a server and a data processing apparatus. The server holds at least one piece of request data including at least a content of a request for collection of traveling state data on a vehicle and a requisite condition for the collection of the traveling state data. The server sends request data of interest to the data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus acquires the traveling state data on the vehicle on the basis of the request data of interest received from the server, and sends the acquired traveling state data to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuichi Sumikawa, Tomoyuki Okada, Yosuke Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 11511157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (20) for assisting a driver of a vehicle to perform physical exercises, comprising:—means (21) for acquiring data representative of a driving context,—means (22) for determining a level of risk, from the acquired data,—means (23) for selecting at least one physical exercise compatible with the level of risk,—means (24) for transmitting a signal indicating to the driver the at least one selected exercise; characterised in that it further comprises—means (21?) for acquiring data representative of a history of exercises performed by said driver, said data coming from a remote storage,—and in that the means (23) for selecting at least one physical exercise also use said data representative of a history in order to select said at least one exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventors: Gabriel Crehan, Stephanie Schneider, Thierry Cheriot, Emmanuelle Diaz
  • Patent number: 11472396
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle control method which comprises the steps of: determining whether or not a squat of a rear end of a vehicle body is equal to or greater than a given level; determining whether or not turning manipulation of a steering device has been made; and, when the turning manipulation of the steering device is determined to have been made, controlling each part of an engine (4) to reduce an output torque of the engine (4), wherein, in response to the determination that the turning manipulation of the steering device has been made, a reduction amount of the output torque of the engine is increased when the squat of the rear end of the vehicle body is equal to or greater than the given level, as compared to when the squat is less than the given level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Umetsu
  • Patent number: 11467584
    Abstract: Path planning is performed using a multi-layer grid searching algorithm to position an ADV in a target position. A first layer grid including a first set of nodes is defined. A second layer grid is defined. The second layer grid includes a second set of nodes corresponding to at least a portion of the first set of nodes. From a start node until a goal node, following operations are iteratively performed. A set of next node candidates are identified by searching in the first set of nodes and the second set of nodes. For each next node candidate of the set of next node candidates, a cost is determined using a cost function. A next node having a lowest cost is selected from the set of next node candidates based on their respective costs. A path trajectory of the ADV is generated to position the ADV at the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11458980
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for enhanced sensor cleaning validation. A device may determine a baseline performance measurement associated with a clean performance baseline of a sensor. The device may actuate a cleaning mechanism to remove at least a portion of an obstruction deposited on the sensor. The device may determine a first post-clean performance measurement associated with the sensor. The device may determine a degradation measurement between the baseline performance measurement and the first post-clean performance measurement, wherein the degradation measurement indicates an effectiveness of the cleaning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
    Inventors: Casey J. Sennott, Morgan M. Wagner, Dustin Ryan Yautz
  • Patent number: 11449048
    Abstract: A moving body control apparatus for controlling a moving body includes: an acquisition device that acquires a control command for the moving body and an image of a view in the traveling direction of the moving body; and an information processing device that uses a machine learning model to output a control parameter for controlling the moving body, using the control command and the image acquired by the acquisition device as inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Karthikk Harihara Subramanian, Bin Zhou, Sheng Mei Shen, Sugiri Pranata Lim
  • Patent number: 11420650
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dictating motion for bi-directional vehicles is provided. The method includes obtaining passenger and map data. The passenger data identifies an orientation of a passenger and the map data identifies route attributes for one or more route segments. The method includes determining one or more motion constraints for a bi-directional vehicle and map constraints for a routing the bi-directional vehicle based on the passenger data and the map data. The motion constraints can identify a vehicle orientation with which the bi-directional vehicle can travel. The map constraints can identify one or more route segments restricted from travel by the bi-directional vehicle. The method includes generating a constrained route based on the motion and map constraint(s). The constrained route can include permitted route segments and movements for the bi-directional vehicle. The method can include initiating the motion of the bi-directional vehicle based on the constrained route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Adam Kanitz
  • Patent number: 11420640
    Abstract: A method for operating an autonomously driving vehicle includes operating the vehicle in a first autonomous driving mode by means of a controller device based on sensor data captured by a sensor system of the vehicle, determining, from environmental data which includes at least the sensor data, presence of a handover condition at a handover location within a planned trajectory of the vehicle, establishing a data communication to a leading vehicle being operated in an autonomous driving mode to travel along a leading trajectory including the handover location, and operating the vehicle in a second autonomous driving mode based at least partially on first auxiliary data provided by the leading vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michele Rondinone, Andreas Bopp, Alexander Elenberger, Andy-Max Prill
  • Patent number: 11422570
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for managing a transportation device fleet using teleoperation. Teleoperation may be beneficial for performing fleet management tasks such as rebalancing, relocation of devices to charging stations, and/or assisting devices operating autonomously that encounter obstacles and are unable to proceed autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Smruti Panigrahi, Justin Miller, Timothy Feldkamp, Sanghyun Hong, Jianbo Lu