Patents Examined by Thomas G. Black
  • Patent number: 11288973
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides various technical solutions to technical problems facing UAV detection, threat assessment, and mitigation purposes. UAV detection may be accomplished using a variety of UAV sensors and systems, which may be used in an Unmanned Aerial System Mitigation and Detection system to generate a UAV Automated Threat Assessment and a UAV mitigation solution. The UAV Automated Threat Assessment may be generated by combining input from various sensors and systems. For example, the UAV Automated Threat Assessment may selectively combine data received from geographically arranged sensors, assemble the input from those sensors using a user-adjustable artificial neural network (ANN), determine whether a potential intruding UAV is not a threat, is transiting, is loitering, or is attacking, and generates a mitigation solution output to an operator that includes an automated mitigation notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: University of North Dakota
    Inventor: Joseph James Vacek
  • Patent number: 11279481
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for enhanced responsiveness in responding to an emergency situation using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). Drones are fully autonomous in that they are operated without human intervention from a pilot, an operator, or other personnel. The disclosed drone utilizes movable access doors to provide the capability of vertically takeoff and landing. The drone also includes an emergency recovery system including a mechanism to deploy a parachute in an event of a failure of the on-board autopilot. Also disclosed herein is a drone port that provides an IR-based docking mechanism for precision landing of the drone, with a very low margin of error. Additionally, the drone port includes pads that provide automatic charge to the drone's batteries by contact-based charging via the drone's landing gear legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: PHIRST TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Philip E. Burks, James Nipp, Jerry Daniel Claridge, Paul Miller
  • Patent number: 11279370
    Abstract: A drive assistant (700) executes a drive assist function that is a function of a drive assist system. A first electronic control apparatus (401) has a first sensor (501). A second electronic control apparatus (402) has a second sensor (502). The first electronic control apparatus (401) is connected to the drive assistant (700) via a main network (10). The second electronic control apparatus (402) is connected to the first electronic control apparatus (401) via a sub-network (20) having no connection to the drive assistant (700). The first electronic control apparatus (401) outputs, to the main network (10), control assist information generated on the basis of first sensing information acquired by the first sensor (501) and second sensing information acquired by the second sensor (502).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Ryota Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 11282378
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for generating and distributing knowledge. In some embodiments, a method for a connected endpoint includes analyzing, on an information layer, sensor data to generate a set of information that describes one or more events that occur in a roadway environment. The method includes generating, on a knowledge layer, knowledge based on the set of information according to a standard to increase a use efficiency of one or more computational resources of the connected endpoint and to improve a capability of the connected endpoint to distribute the knowledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventors: Takamasa Higuchi, Seyhan Ucar, Onur Altintas
  • Patent number: 11273863
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a steering system for steering at least one wheel of the motor vehicle by means of a drive. In doing so, it is provided that a time span is determined for at least one countermeasure limiting a hazard to a vehicle occupant upon an at least partial failure of the steering system, within which time span the countermeasure deploys an effect, and that a state variable (T) influencing the operating capacity of the steering system is determined and extrapolated over time and a point in time (t1) is calculated in which the state variable (T) exceeds a limit value (T1), wherein the countermeasure is introduced when the point in time (t1) is less than the time span in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: André Wesenberg, Michael Redeker, Michael Käßmeyer
  • Patent number: 11273828
    Abstract: An automotive electronic preventive active safety system comprising a control module configured to receive data indicative of a current position of a vehicle, of roads and characteristics thereof including road curvature, and of potential driving routes of the motor-vehicle from a current position up to an electronic horizon thereof. If a current speed of the vehicle at the current position is greater than or equal to a driving speed determined by a driving speed profile for the current position, the control module is configured to at least one of: command the motor-vehicle to decelerate to the driving speed determined by the driving speed profile for the current position; and generate a request to a driver of the motor-vehicle to decelerate the motor-vehicle to the driving speed determined by the driving speed profile for the current position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA' CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Claudio Rei, Enrico Raffone, Massimo Fossanetti
  • Patent number: 11274932
    Abstract: A navigation method and a related product are described. The method includes acquiring a message record; parsing the message record to obtain a starting location and a destination location; using N pre-installed map applications to perform route planning for the starting location and the destination location so as to obtain M routes, wherein N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer not less than N; and selecting a target route from among the M routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian Bai
  • Patent number: 11267504
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling a steer-by-wire system. In more details, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for determining whether a catch-up is occurred due to a counter electromotive force in a rack drive motor in a steer-by-wire system and reflecting torque information that has not been output due to the catch-up on a steering reaction force motor, and thus providing an accurate steering sense for a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: SeungGyu Hong
  • Patent number: 11267466
    Abstract: A warning is not issued when there is not a history in which a host vehicle or an object vehicle (a recording target vehicle) have traveled from a current position of the host vehicle to a predicted collision point and a history in which the recording target vehicle has traveled from a current position of a collision-possible vehicle to the predicted collision point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunobu Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11267476
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and system for discretizing lane markings and for generating a lane reference line is disclosed. A polynomial defined over an (x,y) coordinate system is received, the polynomial being representative of at least a portion of a lane boundary line. A length of the polynomial is determined. The polynomial is discretized, comprising determining a plurality of discretization points on the polynomial to represent the polynomial, wherein a first discretization point is a first end of the polynomial, wherein subsequent discretization points are determined successively until the polynomial is completely discretized, and wherein each discretization point other than the first discretization point is determined based at least in part on a slope of the polynomial at a previous discretization point. Thereafter, a lane reference line comprising a plurality of points is generated based on the discretized polynomial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignees: BAIDU USA LLC, BAIDU.COM TIMES TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Xin Xu, Fan Zhu, Lin Ma
  • Patent number: 11269349
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic working system, including a self-moving device and a positioning device. The self-moving device includes a movement module, a task execution module. The positioning device is configured to detect a current position of the self-moving device. The automatic working system includes: a storage unit, configured to store a working area map, and: a map confirmation procedure, which including: providing a drive circuit instruction to move along a working area boundary, and receiving a confirmation signal from a user to complete the map confirmation procedure; and a working procedure including providing a drive circuit instruction to move within a working area defined by the map and execute the working task; and a control module, configured to monitor an output of the positioning device to execute the map confirmation procedure and execute the working procedure after the map confirmation procedure is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yong Shao, Chang Zhou, Fangshi Liu
  • Patent number: 11261578
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator (1) provided with a controller (40) having a machine control section (43) that executes machine control for moving a work implement (1A) following a predetermined condition at the time of operation of operation devices (45a, 45b, and 46c) includes a level-of-intervention input device (96) that is operated by an operator. The controller includes a correction amount calculating section (43m) that calculates a correction amount of a level of intervention indicating a degree of intervention by the machine control in an operation of the work implement instructed through operation of the operation devices, based on an operation amount of the level-of-intervention input device. The machine control section executes the machine control to intervene in the operation of the work implement instructed through the operation of the operation devices at a level of intervention corrected based on the correction amount calculated at the correction amount calculating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ishida, Manabu Edamura, Hidekazu Moriki
  • Patent number: 11262764
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system for generating a path for a vehicle from a source to a target within a two-dimensional (2D) environment with one or more obstacles is disclosed. The obstacles may be dynamic, static or both. The method comprises generating, in a two dimensions-plus-time space, a velocity cone that represents a set of potential waypoints reachable from a first source for the vehicle moving at a speed, providing a polytope, obtaining at least one interception polygon by intersecting and projecting the velocity cone with the polytope on the 2D region; generating a 2D scene comprising interception polygons to avoid, computing a visibility graph algorithm for the 2D scene and obtaining a plurality of conflict-free sub-paths, and composing a valid path connecting the source to the target based on the plurality of conflict-free sub-paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Francisco A. Navarro, Lucas Rodriguez Diaz, Ernesto Valls Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11261069
    Abstract: An automated guided vehicle includes a chassis and a load supporting apparatus positioned on the chassis, the load supporting apparatus including a platform to support a load, one or more weight sensors located in contact with the platform, the one or more weight sensors configured to provide a signal indicative of a weight of the load on the platform, and an electronic processor arranged in electronic communication with the one or more weight sensors. The electronic processor is configured to receive the signal from each of the one or more weight sensors, and the electronic processor is configured to process the signal and determine stability of the load on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Logistics and Supply Chain Multitech R&D Centre Limited
    Inventors: Wing Leung Chow, King Sau Wong, Lu Sze Wai, Kwai Yuen Tiu
  • Patent number: 11254330
    Abstract: A method includes at least the following phases: a first phase wherein a path to be followed is generated, the path being subdivided into a series of sections of which the starting point forms an intermediate position; a second phase wherein, at the current intermediate position of the vehicle: a non-zero curvature is defined for each of the next n prediction horizon sections, the curvature varying progressively from one section to the next; a prediction is made, before the vehicle engages a movement, as to whether the path can be followed to the prediction horizon, as a function of imposed constraints and of the estimated lateral and/or longitudinal slips; a third phase wherein, if the path can be followed, the steering lock angle of the front wheels and the linear traction speed of the vehicle are controlled as a function of the state of the vehicle and of the lateral and/or longitudinal slips to line up the centre of the axle of the rear wheels on the path; if the path cannot be followed, the vehicle is re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Eric Lucet, Alain Micaelli, François-Xavier Russotto
  • Patent number: 11254329
    Abstract: A system for identifying features of a roadway traversed by a host vehicle may include at least one processor programmed to: receive a plurality of images representative of an environment of the host vehicle; recognize in the plurality of images a presence of a road feature associated with the roadway; determine a location of a first point associated with the road feature relative to a curve representative of a path of travel of the host vehicle; determine a location of a second point associated with the road feature relative to the curve; and cause transmission to a server remotely located from the host vehicle of a representation of a series of points associated with locations along the road feature. The second point may be spaced apart from the first point, and the series of points may include at least the first point and the second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Iddo Hanniel
  • Patent number: 11254326
    Abstract: Sensor data obtained from a plurality of sensors mounted on an ADV driving on a route is collected. A set of features from the sensor data are extracted, where the set of features including an acceleration and a speed of the ADV driving on the route. A first similarity between the ADV and a first driving behavior associated with a first type of drivers driving on the route is determined based on the set of features. A second similarity between the ADV and a second driving behavior associated with a second type of drivers driving on the route is determined based on the set of features. A comfort score of the ADV based on the first similarity and the second similarity is determined to evaluate a motion planning and control of the ADV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11257381
    Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the program configured to cause at least one processor to perform steps including gathering observations and forecasts of a plurality of aviation environmental and operational data of a terminal airspace, independently transforming the observations and forecasts into respective terminal airspace risk factors; integrating the terminal airspace risk factors into operational time periods; weighting the integrated terminal airspace risk factors into an overall airspace risk score for each operational time period; categorizing the overall airspace risk score into a terminal airspace risk category based upon at least one predetermined risk score threshold; and displaying the risk categories and selected underlying risk factors data on a map with a plurality of display panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROBUST ANALYTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F Kostiuk, Hugo Kang, Michael Mohen, Varun Sudarsanan
  • Patent number: 11255692
    Abstract: Various aspects of a system, a method, and a computer program product for generation of roadwork extension data of a roadwork zone are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes a memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to obtain speed funnel data of one or more speed funnels. The processor may be configured to determine a plurality of candidate roadwork links, based on the speed funnel data. The processor may be configured to obtain vehicular trajectory data corresponding to the plurality of candidate roadwork links. The processor may be further configured to determine at least one qualified roadwork link from the plurality of candidate roadwork links, based on the vehicular trajectory data and speed threshold data of the plurality of candidate roadwork links. The processor may be further configured to generate the roadwork extension data based on the at least one qualified roadwork link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Zhenhua Zhang, Leon Stenneth, Ram Marappan
  • Patent number: 11257385
    Abstract: A system for carrying a load at a controlled temperature includes a drone structure having a motor that handles the drone structure, an energy unit that delivers electric energy, and a control unit. The drone structure also includes a thermal container having an insulating casing with at least one layer of heat-insulating material, an inner temperature sensor that measures a value of temperature Tint internal to the insulating casing, an outer temperature sensor configured to measure a value of temperature Text external to the insulating casing, and a thermal unit arranged to adjust or keep constant the value of temperature Tint. The control unit is adapted to carry out an acquisition of a flight mission comprising a landing position of the drone structure, a time limit tmax to reach the landing position and a condition on the values of the temperature Tint to keep during the flight mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ABZERO SRLS
    Inventors: Giuseppe Roberto Tortora, Andrea Cannas