Patents by Inventor Benjamin P. Austin

Benjamin P. Austin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210379992
    Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer readable medium for suppressing autonomous vehicle external human machine interface (eHMI) notifications to prevent confusion or distraction of a road user. The suppression conditions are based on situations where the eHMI notification is redundant, not necessary, can be simplified or should be modified due to weather or light intensity. The eHMI notifications can be suppressed on selected displays and enhanced on others. The eHMI notifications can include text and icons, flashing lights, color or light patterns, which can be modified or suppressed based on the determination that the eHMI notification will confuse or distract the road user. At a four-way stop intersection, the eHMI notification can be suppressed until the autonomous vehicle has the right-of-way. The autonomous vehicle can form a mesh network with connected vehicles at the intersection and broadcast a group eHMI while requesting that the connected vehicles suppress their eHMIs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua E. DOMEYER, Benjamin P. AUSTIN, John K. LENNEMAN
  • Patent number: 11151366
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to addressing occluding potential miscommunication from an occupant of an autonomously operated vehicle. A method of occluding communication from an occupant of an autonomously operated vehicle includes generating sensor data indicating one or more aspects of an environment around the vehicle, analyzing the sensor data to identify a presence of an individual outside of the vehicle determining a position of the individual relative to an occupant inside the vehicle, and occluding at least a portion of at least one window between the individual and the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Austin, Joshua E. Domeyer, John K. Lenneman
  • Publication number: 20210240972
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to addressing occluding potential miscommunication from an occupant of an autonomously operated vehicle. A method of occluding communication from an occupant of an autonomously operated vehicle includes generating sensor data indicating one or more aspects of an environment around the vehicle, analyzing the sensor data to identify a presence of an individual outside of the vehicle determining a position of the individual relative to an occupant inside the vehicle, and occluding at least a portion of at least one window between the individual and the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Austin, Joshua E. Domeyer, John K. Lenneman
  • Publication number: 20210229703
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to addressing inconsistencies between a trajectory plan and a communication from an occupant of an autonomously operated vehicle. A method of resolving inconsistent communication includes obtaining a trajectory plan for the vehicle, detecting, using one or more internal sensors, body language of the occupant the vehicle, analyzing sensor data from the one or more internal sensors to determine a verbal or non-verbal communication indication by the occupant, and detecting an inconsistency between the verbal or non-verbal communication indication and the trajectory plan and: 1) modifying the trajectory plan to form a modified trajectory plan aligned with the verbal or non-verbal communication indication, or 2) transmitting a notification to the occupant prompting the occupant to adjust the verbal or non-verbal communication indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua E. Domeyer, Benjamin P. Austin, John K. Lenneman
  • Publication number: 20210053586
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving visual scanning behavior of an operator in a vehicle with a vehicle display. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a transition to a manual mode of operating the vehicle, identifying, using at least one sensor of the vehicle, objects in a present operating environment around the vehicle according to a visual profile of the operator. The method also includes controlling the vehicle display to selectively render one or more graphic elements according to at least a gaze score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua E. Domeyer, John K. Lenneman, Benjamin P. Austin
  • Patent number: 10766412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying other road users of a change in speed of a vehicle are disclosed herein. One embodiment receives sensor data from one or more sensors; detects, from the sensor data, one or more other road users; determines a lag time, relative to a commencement of the change in speed of the vehicle, that coincides with an estimated moment at which at least one of the one or more other road users perceives the change in speed of the vehicle; and outputs a signal from the vehicle in accordance with the lag time to notify the at least one of the one or more other road users of the change in speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Austin, Joshua E. Domeyer, John K. Lenneman
  • Publication number: 20200239071
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving lane centering performance of an operator of a vehicle after transitioning from an automated mode of operation to a manual mode of operation. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a transition to the manual mode of operation, modifying a sensitivity level of a lane positioning system from a first value to a second value to induce finer path following by the operator. The method includes controlling the lane positioning system according to the sensitivity level. The method also includes resetting the sensitivity level to the first value upon determining that a deviation score satisfies a stability threshold. The deviation score characterizes deviations of the vehicle from a centerline resulting from operator control inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: John K. Lenneman, Joshua E. Domeyer, Benjamin P. Austin