Patents Examined by Peter D Nolan
  • Patent number: 11938874
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to providing a centralized controller for actuators within electronic control systems of a vehicle. An electronic control system within a vehicle computer system, having a first actuator for performing a first vehicle function, a second actuator for a performing second vehicle function and a controller coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator for controlling the first and second actuators is provided such that the controller is not embedded in either the first or second actuator. Embodiments of a centralized controller and a non-transitory machine-readable medium on which a program is stored for providing instructions to a controller that may utilize the 1-Wire® and/or PoE protocols are also provided. Advantages include, but are not limited to centralized manufacturing, simplified diagnostics, and streamlined software upgrades, all of which result in reduce costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Johan Svensson, Richard Biveby, Usman Tariq, Carl-Johan Hall
  • Patent number: 11941980
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for allowing vehicles access or egress from a dedicated roadway. In some implementations, a system includes a server, an interface, and sensors. The interface receives data from a railroad system that manages a railroad running parallel to a first roadway. The sensors are positioned in a location relative to the first and second roadway. Each sensor can detect vehicles on the second roadway. For each detected vehicle, each sensor can generate first sensor data based on the detected vehicle and the data received at the interface. Second sensor data can be generated based on activities on the first roadway. Observational data can be generated based on the first and second sensor data. An instruction can be determined to allow the detected vehicle access to the first roadway. The instruction can be transmitted to the detected vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Cavnue Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew O'Sullivan, David Kiley
  • Patent number: 11940277
    Abstract: A vision-aided inertial navigation system (VINS) comprises an image source for producing image data along a trajectory. The VINS further comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to produce IMU data indicative of motion of the VINS and an odometry unit configured to produce odometry data. The VINS further comprises a processor configured to compute, based on the image data, the IMU data, and the odometry data, state estimates for a position and orientation of the VINS for poses of the VINS along the trajectory. The processor maintains a state vector having states for a position and orientation of the VINS and positions within the environment for observed features for a sliding window of poses. The processor applies a sliding window filter to compute, based on the odometry data, constraints between the poses within the sliding window and compute, based on the constraints, the state estimates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Stergios I. Roumeliotis, Kejian J. Wu, Chao Guo, Georgios Georgiou
  • Patent number: 11940281
    Abstract: A learning apparatus includes an input unit configured to input route information indicating a route including one or more paths of a plurality of paths and moving body number information indicating the number of moving bodies for a date and a time on a path to be observed among the plurality of paths, and a learning unit configured to learn a parameter of a model indicating a relationship between the number of moving bodies for each of the plurality of paths and the number of moving bodies for the route and a relationship between the numbers of moving bodies for the route at different dates and times by using the route information and the moving body number information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Iwata, Hitoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11940774
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides action imitation method as well as a robot and a computer readable storage medium using the same. The method includes: collecting at least a two-dimensional image of a to-be-imitated object; obtaining two-dimensional coordinates of each key point of the to-be-imitated object in the two-dimensional image and a pairing relationship between the key points of the to-be-imitated object; converting the two-dimensional coordinates of the key points of the to-be-imitated object in the two-dimensional image into space three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the key points of the to-be-imitated object through a pre-trained first neural network model, and generating an action control instruction of a robot based on the space three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the key points of the to-be-imitated object and the pairing relationship between the key points, where the action control instruction is for controlling the robot to imitate an action of the to-be-imitated object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Miaochen Guo, Jingtao Zhang, Dong Wang, Shuping Hu, Jianxin Pang, Youjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 11940817
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for open path laser spectroscopy with mobile platforms. An example system may include a first mobile platform and a second mobile platform, each of which supports a payload. A light beam directed from one payload to another may define a measurement path, which may be at a particular height above the ground. The payloads may determine a gas concentration along the measurement path. Wind information at the measurement height may be used to determine a gas flux. One or both of the mobile platforms may then move to a new location, and take a measurement along a new measurement path. By combining the measurement paths, gas flux through a flux surface may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Bridger Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Thomas Kreitinger, Michael James Thorpe, Peter Aaron Roos
  • Patent number: 11932281
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for configuring and controlling an automated vehicle to perform user specified operations. User vehicle control programs are loaded in an unmanned vehicle to control the unmanned vehicle to perform a user specified operation. The loading the user vehicle control programs replaces base vehicle control programs in the unmanned vehicle. There is communication with the unmanned vehicle to execute the user vehicle control programs to control the unmanned vehicle to perform the user specified operation. The base vehicle control programs are loaded into the unmanned vehicle to replace the user vehicle control programs to return control of the unmanned vehicle to a vehicle provider after performing the user specified operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sanehiro Furuichi, Akira Saito, Yohkichi Sasatani, Kenichi Takasaki, Taku Sasaki, Hirotaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11933613
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ground control point assignment and determination. One of the methods includes receiving information describing a flight plan for the UAV to implement, the flight plan identifying one or more waypoints associated with geographic locations assigned as ground control points. A first waypoint identified in the flight plan is traveled to, and an action to designate a surface at the associated geographic location is designated as a ground control point. Location information associated with the designated surface is stored. The stored location information is provided to an outside system for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Michini, Brett Michael Bethke, Fabien Blanc-Paques
  • Patent number: 11932062
    Abstract: A tire surface managing method, comprising: emitting detecting light to a target object on a surface of a tire; receiving reflected detecting light from the target object and from the surface adjacent to the target object; determining whether the target object protrudes according to a distance calculated according to the reflected detecting light from the target object and a distance calculated according to the reflected detecting light from the surface; determining whether the target object forms a hole on the surface according to the distance calculated according to the reflected detecting light from the target object and the distance calculated according to the reflected detecting light from the surface; receiving the reflected detecting light from the surface to calculate a width of the hole on the tire; and activating a protection mechanism for a vehicle comprising the tire if the width is larger than a width threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Guo-Zhen Wang, Chang-Sheng Chiu
  • Patent number: 11932244
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling autonomous driving of a vehicle which may derive predicted paths of a pedestrian and a two-wheel vehicle during autonomous driving of the vehicle so as to minimize accidents. The method includes calculating first height information allocating a first gradient that descends in a proceeding direction of objects, including a vehicle and a pedestrian, from respective positions of the objects based on dynamic information of the objects, calculating second height information allocating a second gradient based on a probability that the pedestrian will occupy infrastructure, calculating final height information by fusing the first height information and the second height information, generating a predicted path of the pedestrian, determining a driving strategy of a host vehicle based on a predicted path of the host vehicle and the predicted path of the pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Dong Oh
  • Patent number: 11933629
    Abstract: A map data updating device comprises a communication unit, a memory, and a processor configured to store map data, received from a server through the communication unit before the vehicle has begun to travel, in the memory as initial map data, and to send a request to the server through the communication unit for update information representing information updated from the initial map data for each of a plurality of road zones within the scheduled route, from among the information associated with the road zones in the map data updated at the server, and to use the update information received through the communication unit to update the initial map data, after the vehicle has begun to travel along the scheduled route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11928973
    Abstract: A flight system includes an aerial vehicle having a sensor and capable of flying unmanned. The flight system estimates a condition of dust in an area of a scheduled destination, on the basis of sensing data obtained by observing, with the sensor, the area from a flight position of the aerial vehicle. Then, the flight system controls the aerial vehicle on the basis of the estimation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Tazume
  • Patent number: 11929597
    Abstract: A system, a method, and/or a computer program for mounting a cable device on an electric cable of an electric grid, and dismounting therefrom, the mounting device including a first coupling part arranged to attach the mounting device to a flying vehicle, a second coupling part arranged to attach the cable device to the mounting device, and a navigation part operative to enable a user to navigate the flying vehicle so as to direct a slot of the cable device to the electric cable, and/or automatically navigate the flying vehicle to direct the slot of the cable device to the electric cable, and/or enable a user to navigate the flying vehicle to the cable device, and/or automatically navigate the flying vehicle to the cable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Eyal Eliyahu Miron, Nimrod Sandlerman
  • Patent number: 11927454
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a control unit configured to acquire information of a position and information of a travelable range of a vehicle which travels using a battery as an energy source, to extract a charging station located within the travelable range from the position out of a plurality of charging stations, to extract a spot which is able to be visited in a state in which the vehicle stops in the extracted charging station out of a plurality of spots, and to transmit information of the extracted spot along with information of the extracted charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuji Yamada, Jun Tsukamoto, Kaori Sakai
  • Patent number: 11926321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method and system for controlling speed of vehicle by using GPS location, real-time traffic light status and machine learning techniques to recommend cruising speed to vehicle without stopping at the traffic lights. The method includes determining status of traffic lights located on route of traffic junctions and associated time period for status of traffic lights based on data received from sensors. The method includes broadcasting status of traffic lights and associated time period. The method includes calculating in real-time a recommended cruising speed of the vehicle based on GPS location associated with vehicle, status of traffic lights and associated time period, and a time period required by vehicle to arrive at the traffic lights using machine learning techniques. The method includes providing in real-time the recommended cruising speed to vehicle. The method includes adaptively controlling in real-time speed of vehicle to recommended cruising speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 11926312
    Abstract: In a case where a predetermined switching operation to a state in which a traveling position is selected from a state in which another shift position of a mechanical transmission device is selected is performed by a driver, a quick engagement command to quickly engage a predetermined engagement device is performed in a state in which output of a predetermined torque is stopped, and then a rapid garage control of increasing a rotation speed of an electric motor at a rotation speed equal to or higher than a predetermined rotation speed is executed. The rapid garage control is executed in a case where a predetermined start condition is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshio Hasegawa, Tomohiro Chimbe, Shogo Kawai
  • Patent number: 11927672
    Abstract: This application provides a data processing method and apparatus and a storage medium. The data processing method includes: obtaining K idle calculation blocks in real time, where K is greater than or equal to 1; invoking first K pieces of detected data from a cache stack in a preset priority sequence of detected data, and inputting the detected data into the K idle calculation blocks; sequentially processing K pieces of detected data on the K idle calculation blocks in the preset priority sequence; and integrating sensing calculation results of the K pieces of detected data in real time based on a boundary relationship between detection ranges of the K pieces of detected data, and outputting a sensing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SUTENG INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bin Wang, Leilei Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11926415
    Abstract: Physical and logical components of a long line loiter control system address control of a long line loiter maneuver conducted beneath a carrier, such as a fixed-wing aircraft. Control may comprise identifying, predicting, and reacting to estimated states and predicted states of the carrier, a suspended load control system, and a long line. Identifying, predicting, and reacting to estimated states and predicted states may comprise determining characteristics of state conditions over time as well as response time between state conditions. Reacting may comprise controlling a hoist of the carrier, controlling thrusters of the suspended load control system, and or controlling or issuing flight control instructions to the carrier so as not to increase the response time and or to avoid a hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Vita Inclinata IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sikora, Caleb B. Carr, Logan Goodrich
  • Patent number: 11920938
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous electric vehicles may be automatically recharged by routing the vehicles to available charging stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A charge level of the battery of an autonomous electric vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a recharging threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to recharge may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a charging station, recharge the battery, and return to its starting location in order to recharge when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Blake Konrardy, Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 11919508
    Abstract: Technologies and techniques for vehicle perception. A first contour of a current image a dna second contour of a next image are determined relative to an optical center. The current image is scaled to the next image relative to the optical center, wherein the scaling includes applying a scale vector to the first contour. A frame offset vector is determined, and the second contour is translated, based on the frame offset vector and the scale vector, to align the translated second contour to a focus of expansion. An image velocity is determined, based on the first contour and the translated second contour, wherein the image velocity is used to determine object movement from the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edmund Dawes Zink, Qiang Liu, Jens Langenberg