Patents by Inventor Bernd Rech

Bernd Rech 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).

  • Patent number: 11940291
    Abstract: A method for updating a map of the surrounding area wherein the map is used when controlling a transportation vehicle. The transportation vehicle attempts, when travelling along a carriageway, to detect a landmark recorded in the map of the surrounding area using sensors. In response to the transportation vehicle being unable to detect the landmark using its sensors, the transportation vehicle prepares a proposal for deletion which is sent to an external central computer. The proposal for deletion is examined in the external central computer and deletes the landmark from the map of the surrounding area in response to the proposal for deletion being verified. In the method, information regarding a visibility range for the landmark is entered in the map of the surrounding area specifying at what range the landmark is visible from a road permitting a more effective detection of landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Daniel Wilbers, Christian Merfels, Bernd Rech, Thilo Schaper, Niklas Koch, Stefan Jürgens, David Perdomo Lopez, Constanze Hungar
  • Patent number: 11904898
    Abstract: A method, a computer program, and an apparatus for controlling operation of a transportation vehicle equipped with an automated driving function and a transportation vehicle equipped with an automated driving function which uses the method or apparatus. A first signal state of a traffic light is determined from data of at least one vehicle sensor, the determined first signal state of the traffic light is then validated based on information available in the transportation vehicle, and an operation mode of the transportation vehicle is set as a function of a validation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sandra Kleinau, Bernd Rech, Thorsten Bagdonat
  • Patent number: 11900808
    Abstract: A transportation vehicle, an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for a first transportation vehicle and for estimating a position of a second transportation vehicle at the first transportation vehicle. The method for a first transportation vehicle and for estimating a position of a second transportation vehicle at the first transportation vehicle includes obtaining information on an environmental map of the first transportation vehicle; receiving information on a trajectory of the second transportation vehicle; and estimating the position of the second transportation vehicle in the environmental map based on the information on the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas Pfadler, Bernd Rech, Daniel Reimann, Stefan Gläser, Bernd Lehmann, Julia Kwasny
  • Publication number: 20230288211
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program for a transportation vehicle to determine positions of other transportation vehicles based on received collective perception messages. The method includes receiving one or more collective perception messages providing information on an absolute position of a transportation vehicle generating the collective perception message and a relative position of one or more further transportation vehicles being perceived by the transportation vehicle generating the collective perception message; placing the respective transportation vehicle generating the collective perception message and the one or more further transportation vehicles being perceived by the transportation vehicle generating the collective perception message on a map using the positions received in the one or more collective perception messages; and correlating the positions of the transportation vehicles on the map with a course of the road on which the respective transportation vehicles are travelling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Bernd RECH, Sandra KLEINAU, Andreas PFADLER
  • Patent number: 11532097
    Abstract: A method for estimating the quality of localization using sensor detection, wherein the vehicle detects dynamic objects on the road and in the direct surroundings of the road and estimates the dimensions of the objects. The movement of these objects in the near future is estimated. The outer casings of these objects are entered into a map of the surroundings. From the perspective of the sensors used to detect the features in the surroundings, the limitations of the fields of view and the predicted temporal development thereof resulting from the movement of the transportation vehicle and the predicted movements of the objects are entered into the map of the surroundings. The surrounding features that have been entered into the map of the surroundings and which may at visible in the near future are determined. An upper limit for a measure of the quality of localization is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Wilbers, Christian Merfels, Bernd Rech, Thilo Schaper, Niklas Koch, Stefan Jürgens, David Perdomo Lopez, Constanze Hungar
  • Patent number: 11532185
    Abstract: A method for a data processing installation for obtaining an operating state of a first autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the first autonomous vehicle from a received measurement value of a sensor of a second vehicle. When the current state of the first autonomous vehicle deviates from a setpoint state, the method includes sending a first message to the first autonomous vehicle, wherein the first message contains a command to travel autonomously to a service location. Alternatively, the method includes sending a second message to a person responsible for the first autonomous vehicle, wherein the second message includes information about the deviation of the current state of the first autonomous vehicle from the setpoint state. Alternatively, the method includes sending a third message to service personnel, wherein the third message contains an instruction for the service personnel to set the vehicle to the setpoint state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Bernd Rech, Stefan Gläser, Monique Engel, Hendrik-Jörn Günther, Teodor Buburuzan, Sandra Kleinau, Bernd Lehmann, Johannes Hartog
  • Publication number: 20220316909
    Abstract: A method for providing an information signal (8) for at least partially automatic vehicle control involves an environment sensor system (3) of a motor vehicle (1) being used to generate measurement data for surroundings of the motor vehicle (1). A computing unit (2) of the motor vehicle (1) is used to identify an object (7) and a landmark (5) on the basis of the measurement data. The computing unit (4) is used to determine a first relative position of the object (7) in relation to the landmark (5) on the basis of the measurement data. A communication interface (4) of the motor vehicle (1) is used to generate the information signal (8) on the basis of the first relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicants: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, MAN Truck & Bus SE
    Inventors: Bernd RECH, Constanze HUNGAR, Daniel WILBERS, Niklas KOCH, Stefan JÜRGENS, Christian MERFELS
  • Publication number: 20220262034
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating non-semantic reference data for determining the position of a motor vehicle involves a set of raw data points being provided that models a stipulated surrounding area. A stipulated descriptor characterizing a property of the surrounding area is determined for each of the raw data points. At least one point cluster is generated by grouping the raw data points on the basis of their descriptors. A characteristic number relating to an information gain for determining the position of the motor vehicle is assigned to a first point cluster on the basis of the descriptors of the raw data points. The characteristic number is taken as a basis for storing feature information of the first point cluster on a memory unit as non-semantic reference data for determining the position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicants: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
    Inventors: Constanze HUNGAR, Daniel WILBERS, Bernd RECH, Niklas KOCH, Stefan JUERGENS, Christian MERFELS
  • Patent number: 11358606
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle incorporates polling regarding the control of the motor vehicle, leading to an improvement in the working conditions of a plurality of evaluation units accessing sensor units of the motor vehicle. Control commands for controlling the motor vehicle are determined from this polling by a conflict checking unit. The conflict checking unit determines the feasibility of the control commands, taking into consideration predetermined verification criteria with regard to conflicts between the individual control commands and the practicability of the individual control commands. The conflict checking unit also determines a control specification for a vehicle control unit based on the feasibilities and certain decision criteria. Finally, the motor vehicle is controlled by use of the vehicle control unit in accordance with the control specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian Merfels, Bernd Rech, Daniel Wilbers, Thilo Schaper, Constanze Hungar, Niklas Koch, Florian Haubner, Simon Seitle
  • Publication number: 20220081011
    Abstract: A method, a computer program, and an apparatus for controlling operation of a transportation vehicle equipped with an automated driving function and a transportation vehicle equipped with an automated driving function which uses the method or apparatus. A first signal state of a traffic light is determined from data of at least one vehicle sensor, the determined first signal state of the traffic light is then validated based on information available in the transportation vehicle, and an operation mode of the transportation vehicle is set as a function of a validation result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Sandra KLEINAU, Bernd RECH, Thorsten BAGDONAT
  • Publication number: 20220076575
    Abstract: A transportation vehicle, an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for a first transportation vehicle and for estimating a position of a second transportation vehicle at the first transportation vehicle. The method for a first transportation vehicle and for estimating a position of a second transportation vehicle at the first transportation vehicle includes obtaining information on an environmental map of the first transportation vehicle; receiving information on a trajectory of the second transportation vehicle; and estimating the position of the second transportation vehicle in the environmental map based on the information on the trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas PFADLER, Bernd RECH, Daniel REIMANN, Stefan GLÄSER, Bernd LEHMANN, Julia KWASNY
  • Patent number: 11222543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining traffic information with the aid of a central monitoring device which is in communication with a plurality of fleet vehicles in order to obtain traffic information from the fleet vehicles, wherein within communication with the fleet vehicles the monitoring device transmits targeted measurement requests to the fleet vehicles. In one exemplary aspect, the invention proposes that during the transmission of targeted measurement requests, the monitoring device takes account of the quality of sensors with which the individual fleet vehicle are equipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Christian Merfels, Constanze Hungar, Bernd Rech, Thilo Schaper, Daniel Wilbers, Niklas Koch, Florian Haubner, Simon Seitle
  • Patent number: 11189176
    Abstract: A method, devices and computer program for initiating and/or carrying out a cooperative driving maneuver. The method includes a driving intention message for transportation vehicles in an environment of a transportation vehicle which includes information relating to an intention of a driver or an at least partially automatic transportation vehicle control system of the transportation vehicle to carry out a driving maneuver. The method includes obtaining information relating to a driving intention based on the intention to carry out the driving maneuver, determining a position of the transportation vehicle, determining the driving intention message based on the information relating to the driving intention, and calculating transmission parameters for the driving intention message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd Rech, Stefan Gläser, Monique Engel, Bernd Lehmann, Sandra Kleinau, Hendrik-Jörn Günther, Teodor Buburuzan, Axel Köhnke
  • Patent number: 11180150
    Abstract: A method for autonomously or semi-autonomously carrying out a cooperative driving maneuver and a vehicle. Provision is made for a maneuvering vehicle which plans the execution of a driving maneuver to determine a maneuvering area of a road in which the driving maneuver is potentially executed, to communicate with one or more vehicles via vehicle-to-vehicle communication to detect one or more cooperation vehicles which will presumably be inside the maneuvering area during the execution of the driving maneuver, and to adapt its own driving behavior to the presumable driving behavior of the one or more cooperation vehicles to execute the planned driving maneuver. The disclosure provides a possibility which, by vehicle-to-vehicle communication, allows vehicles for jointly carrying out a cooperative driving maneuver to be identified and then allows the cooperative driving maneuver to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Monique Engel, Bernd Rech, Stefan Gläser, Teodor Buburuzan, Bernd Lehmann, Sandra Kleinau, Hendrik-Jörn Günther, Johannes Hartog
  • Publication number: 20210348944
    Abstract: A transportation vehicle, an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for determining a merged environmental map of the transportation vehicle. The method for a transportation vehicle and for determining a merged environmental map of the transportation vehicle includes obtaining information related to a first environmental map, which is based on messages communicated with other transportation vehicles or infrastructure in the environment; obtaining information related to a second environmental map, which is based on sensor data of the transportation vehicle; and determining the merged environmental map based on the information related to the first environmental map and the information related to the second environmental map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd LEHMANN, Bernd RECH, Julia KWASNY, Sandra KLEINAU
  • Publication number: 20210341310
    Abstract: A method for estimating the quality of localization using sensor detection, wherein the vehicle detects dynamic objects on the road and in the direct surroundings of the road and estimates the dimensions of the objects. The movement of these objects in the near future is estimated. The outer casings of these objects are entered into a map of the surroundings. From the perspective of the sensors used to detect the features in the surroundings, the limitations of the fields of view and the predicted temporal development thereof resulting from the movement of the transportation vehicle and the predicted movements of the objects are entered into the map of the surroundings. The surrounding features that have been entered into the map of the surroundings and which may at visible in the near future are determined. An upper limit for a measure of the quality of localization is estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel WILBERS, Christian MERFELS, Bernd RECH, Thilo SCHAPER, Niklas KOCH, Stefan JÜRGENS, David PERDOMO LOPEZ, Constanze HUNGAR
  • Publication number: 20210310823
    Abstract: A method for updating a map of the surrounding area wherein the map is used when controlling a transportation vehicle. The transportation vehicle attempts, when travelling along a carriageway, to detect a landmark recorded in the map of the surrounding area using sensors. In response to the transportation vehicle being unable to detect the landmark using its sensors, the transportation vehicle prepares a proposal for deletion which is sent to an external central computer. The proposal for deletion is examined in the external central computer and deletes the landmark from the map of the surrounding area in response to the proposal for deletion being verified. In the method, information regarding a visibility range for the landmark is entered in the map of the surrounding area specifying at what range the landmark is visible from a road permitting a more effective detection of landmarks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel WILBERS, Christian MERFELS, Bernd RECH, Thilo SCHAPER, Niklas KOCH, Stefan JÜRGENS, David PERDOMO LOPEZ, Constanze HUNGAR
  • Patent number: 11127304
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a computer-readable storage medium with instructions for determining the location of a datum detected by a transportation vehicle wherein at least one pose estimation is ascertained. An uncertainty of the at least one pose estimation is determined wherein the uncertainty of the pose estimation includes a process of scaling an uncertainty estimation of the pose estimation, wherein the scaling process is based on a comparison of the pose estimation with a priori information. The at least one pose estimation is fused solely with at least one additional pose estimation with a weighting according to the uncertainties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Lukas Fröhlich, Christian Merfels, Bernd Rech, Thilo Schaper, Niklas Koch, Daniel Wilbers, Frederik Meysel
  • Publication number: 20210229690
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle incorporates polling regarding the control of the motor vehicle, leading to an improvement in the working conditions of a plurality of evaluation units accessing sensor units of the motor vehicle. Control commands for controlling the motor vehicle are determined from this polling by a conflict checking unit. The conflict checking unit determines the feasibility of the control commands, taking into consideration predetermined verification criteria with regard to conflicts between the individual control commands and the practicability of the individual control commands. The conflict checking unit also determines a control specification for a vehicle control unit based on the feasibilities and certain decision criteria. Finally, the motor vehicle is controlled by use of the vehicle control unit in accordance with the control specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicants: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian MERFELS, Bernd RECH, Daniel WILBERS, Thilo SCHAPER, Constanze HUNGAR, Niklas KOCH, Florian HAUBNER, Simon SEITLE
  • Patent number: 10964216
    Abstract: A method for providing information about a probable driving intention of a first vehicle. The method includes ascertaining, using a locating device, first position data, which indicate the approximate position of the first vehicle, and map data for the first position data, and capturing, using cameras and/or sensors in the first vehicle, information about the surroundings in proximity to the first vehicle. The method also includes determining information about a probable trajectory of the first vehicle, and providing information about a probable driving intention of the first vehicle, based on the information about the probable trajectory of the first vehicle, the position data, the information about the surroundings and the map data. The method also includes transmitting the information about the probable driving intention of the first vehicle to a second vehicle and/or one or more vehicle-external entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Teodor Buburuzan, Bernd Rech, Bernd Lehmann, Monique Engel, Sandra Kleinau, Stefan Gläser, Hendrik-Jörn Günther, Johannes Hartog