Patents by Inventor Derek S. Caveney
Derek S. Caveney 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).
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COORDINATED SCHEDULING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS TO ENHANCE AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION
Publication number: 20240083453Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of: determining, by a server, a time when a vehicle at a charging bay of a charging station has completed charging, sending, by the server, an authorization to autonomously move the vehicle after the time, and providing, by the server, a location to move the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Derek S. Caveney -
Patent number: 11884206Abstract: Systems and methods of collision detection are provided which combine the concept of collaborative support with common/existing in-vehicle imaging and proximity sensor technologies. In particular, an “intermediary” vehicle may signal one or more objects (e.g. other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.) which are within the line of sight of the intermediary vehicle (and thus its imaging and proximity sensors), but not within the line of sight of each other, to a potential collision between the two objects.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
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Publication number: 20230236593Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a trailer without the presence of a physical connection. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to receiving a signal to initiate hitchless maneuvering of a trailer separately from a controlling vehicle, acquiring control inputs to maneuver the trailer from an input device within the controlling vehicle. The method includes communicating, from the controlling vehicle to the trailer, the control inputs to maneuver the trailer. The method includes in response to receiving feedback from the trailer indicating the trailer is within a requested position, sending a control signal to stop the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Gregg J. Overfield, Paul Timothy Fanson, Derek S. Caveney, Mehmet Ali Guney, Stephen L. Robertson, Miles J. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230177958Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving identification of available parking spaces in congested zones. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to receiving trajectory information about movement of a searching vehicle, estimating a search time spent by the vehicle seeking parking in a location. The method includes aggregating, when the search time satisfies a time threshold, the search time with observed times associated with additional entities parking in the location. The method includes updating a parking map according to the observed times when the observed times satisfy a parking threshold indicating a lack of available parking in the location. The parking map identifies active regions where parking is presently lacking. The method includes providing the parking map with the active regions to identified vehicles proximate to locations associated with the active regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Takamasa Higuchi, Kentaro Oguchi, Derek S. Caveney
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Publication number: 20230073966Abstract: Systems and methods of collision detection are provided which combine the concept of collaborative support with common/existing in-vehicle imaging and proximity sensor technologies. In particular, an “intermediary” vehicle may signal one or more objects (e.g. other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.) which are within the line of sight of the intermediary vehicle (and thus its imaging and proximity sensors), but not within the line of sight of each other, to a potential collision between the two objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: DEREK S. CAVENEY
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Patent number: 11513518Abstract: The systems and methods described herein disclose detecting obstacles in a vehicular environment using host vehicle input and associated trust levels. As described here, measured vehicles, either manual or autonomous, that detect an obstacle in the environment will operate to respond to the obstacle. As such, those movements can be used to determine if an obstacle exists in the environment, even if the obstacle cannot be detected directly. The systems and methods can include a host vehicle receiving prediction data about an evasive behavior from one or more measured vehicles in a vehicular environment. A trust level can then be established for the measured vehicles. An obscured obstacle can be determined using the evasive behavior and the trust level which can then be mapped in the vehicular environment. A guidance input can then be created for the host vehicle using the obscured obstacle and the trust level.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
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Publication number: 20200241530Abstract: The systems and methods described herein disclose detecting obstacles in a vehicular environment using host vehicle input and associated trust levels. As described here, measured vehicles, either manual or autonomous, that detect an obstacle in the environment will operate to respond to the obstacle. As such, those movements can be used to determine if an obstacle exists in the environment, even if the obstacle cannot be detected directly. The systems and methods can include a host vehicle receiving prediction data about an evasive behavior from one or more measured vehicles in a vehicular environment. A trust level can then be established for the measured vehicles. An obscured obstacle can be determined using the evasive behavior and the trust level which can then be mapped in the vehicular environment. A guidance input can then be created for the host vehicle using the obscured obstacle and the trust level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
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Patent number: 10074281Abstract: A lane identity in a roadway in which a vehicle is traveling can be determined. The roadway can include a plurality of lanes. The determining can include generating a lane identification confidence belief indicating a probability that the vehicle is in a particular lane of the plurality of lanes of the roadway. Generating the lane identification confidence belief can be based on: any detected lane crossings, the number of lanes in the roadway, the lane marker type to a left side and to a right side of the vehicle at the current position of the vehicle or ahead of the current position of the vehicle in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle, and a weighted average of an instantaneous lane identification confidence belief and a lane identification confidence belief prior to a current sample time period.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Pandita, John-Michael McNew, Derek S. Caveney, Vladimeros Vladimerou
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Patent number: 9908464Abstract: A vehicle subject to autonomous operation includes one or more autonomous support systems configured to support autonomous operation, a feedback system configured to provide feedback in an interior portion of the vehicle and a confidence appraisal system in communication with the one or more autonomous support systems and the feedback system. During autonomous operation, the confidence appraisal system monitors, based on operational statuses of the one or more autonomous support systems supporting the autonomous operation, confidence in the autonomous operation, and operates the feedback system to provide feedback in the interior portion of the vehicle. The feedback corresponds to the confidence in the autonomous operation, and varies with changes to the confidence in the autonomous operation, to continuously apprise a driver of the confidence in the autonomous operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Derek S. Caveney, John-Michael McNew, Heishiro Toyoda
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Publication number: 20170291540Abstract: A vehicle subject to autonomous operation includes one or more autonomous support systems configured to support autonomous operation, a feedback system configured to provide feedback in an interior portion of the vehicle and a confidence appraisal system in communication with the one or more autonomous support systems and the feedback system. During autonomous operation, the confidence appraisal system monitors, based on operational statuses of the one or more autonomous support systems supporting the autonomous operation, confidence in the autonomous operation, and operates the feedback system to provide feedback in the interior portion of the vehicle. The feedback corresponds to the confidence in the autonomous operation, and varies with changes to the confidence in the autonomous operation, to continuously apprise a driver of the confidence in the autonomous operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Derek S. Caveney, John-Michael McNew, Heishiro Toyoda
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Patent number: 9586585Abstract: An automated driving system and methods are disclosed. The automated driving system includes a perception system disposed on an autonomous vehicle. The automated driving system can detect, based on images captured using the perception system, a traffic officer wielding a traffic signal device such as the traffic officer's hand, or a wand, sign, or flag. The automated driving system can also determine whether the traffic officer is directing a traffic signal to the autonomous vehicle with the traffic signal device, and if so, determine whether content of the traffic signal is recognized. If the content of the traffic signal is recognized, the autonomous vehicle can respond in a manner consistent with the content of the traffic signal. If the content of the traffic signal is not recognized, the autonomous vehicle can respond by treating the traffic signal as a stop signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Delp, Derek S. Caveney
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Publication number: 20170004711Abstract: A lane identity in a roadway in which a vehicle is traveling can be determined. The roadway can include a plurality of lanes. The determining can include generating a lane identification confidence belief indicating a probability that the vehicle is in a particular lane of the plurality of lanes of the roadway. Generating the lane identification confidence belief can be based on: any detected lane crossings, the number of lanes in the roadway, the lane marker type to a left side and to a right side of the vehicle at the current position of the vehicle or ahead of the current position of the vehicle in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle, and a weighted average of an instantaneous lane identification confidence belief and a lane identification confidence belief prior to a current sample time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Rohit Pandita, John-Michael McNew, Derek S. Caveney, Vladimeros Vladimerou
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Patent number: 9483059Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated driving of a vehicle. The method may include coordinating a planned vehicle path using a path planner application. The path planner application may receive information based on inputs to sensors disposed on the vehicle. The method may include sending a command to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path. While the vehicle follows the planned vehicle path, the method may include receiving an indication that the path planner application is not meeting a threshold performance level. After receiving the indication that the path planner application is not meeting the threshold performance level, a command is sent to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow a temporary and irregular full vehicle movement to alert a vehicle driver. The temporary and irregular full vehicle movement may be a full vehicle side-to-side wobbling movement.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
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Patent number: 9460624Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a lane identity of a vehicle travelling in a roadway where the roadway contains a plurality of lanes is determined based on information from sensors associated with the vehicle and map data for detecting the lane marker type to a left side and right side of the vehicle, any lane crossings during travel of the vehicle along the roadway, a history of lane marker type up to a predetermined travel distance along the roadway, and the lane marker type at the instantaneous position of the vehicle in the roadway. The lane identity method and apparatus outputs a confidence belief identifying the probability that the vehicle is traveling in one particular lane of the roadway.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Pandita, John-Michael McNew, Derek S Caveney, Vladimeros Vladimerou
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Patent number: 9409570Abstract: A method and apparatus to predict the most probable path of a vehicle along a roadway which may contain a junction splitting the roadway into a rootpath and one or more sub-paths, each containing one or more lanes. The method and apparatus also process vehicle sensor information pertaining to driver corrections, road boundary detection, lane marker detection, map information availability, and road surface quality at the current position of the vehicle as well as from previous passes of the vehicle past the same location and other vehicles passing the same location to provide a warning to the driver to retake control of the vehicle if information used by the automatic vehicle control will become unavailable a predetermined travel distance ahead of the current position of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Pandita, Vladimeros Vladimerou, Derek S. Caveney, David A. Hamilton, John M. McNew
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Publication number: 20160146618Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated driving of a vehicle. The method may include coordinating a planned vehicle path using a path planner application. The path planner application may receive information based on inputs to sensors disposed on the vehicle. The method may include sending a command to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path. While the vehicle follows the planned vehicle path, the method may include receiving an indication that the path planner application is not meeting a threshold performance level. After receiving the indication that the path planner application is not meeting the threshold performance level, a command is sent to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow a temporary and irregular full vehicle movement to alert a vehicle driver. The temporary and irregular full vehicle movement may be a full vehicle side-to-side wobbling movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
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Publication number: 20160144867Abstract: An automated driving system and methods are disclosed. The automated driving system includes a perception system disposed on an autonomous vehicle. The automated driving system can detect, based on images captured using the perception system, a traffic officer wielding a traffic signal device such as the traffic officer's hand, or a wand, sign, or flag. The automated driving system can also determine whether the traffic officer is directing a traffic signal to the autonomous vehicle with the traffic signal device, and if so, determine whether content of the traffic signal is recognized. If the content of the traffic signal is recognized, the autonomous vehicle can respond in a manner consistent with the content of the traffic signal. If the content of the traffic signal is not recognized, the autonomous vehicle can respond by treating the traffic signal as a stop signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Delp, Derek S. Caveney
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Publication number: 20150325127Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a lane identity of a vehicle travelling in a roadway where the roadway contains a plurality of lanes is determined based on information from sensors associated with the vehicle and map data for detecting the lane marker type to a left side and right side of the vehicle, any lane crossings during travel of the vehicle along the roadway, a history of lane marker type up to a predetermined travel distance along the roadway, and the lane marker type at the instantaneous position of the vehicle in the roadway. The lane identity method and apparatus outputs a confidence belief identifying the probability that the vehicle is traveling in one particular lane of the roadway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Pandita, John-Michael McNew, Derek S. Caveney, Vladimeros Vladimerou
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Publication number: 20150321665Abstract: A method and apparatus to predict the most probable path of a vehicle along a roadway which may contain a junction splitting the roadway into a rootpath and one or more sub-paths, each containing one or more lanes. The method and apparatus also process vehicle sensor information pertaining to driver corrections, road boundary detection, lane marker detection, map information availability, and road surface quality at the current position of the vehicle as well as from previous passes of the vehicle past the same location and other vehicles passing the same location to provide a warning to the driver to retake control of the vehicle if information used by the automatic vehicle control will become unavailable a predetermined travel distance ahead of the current position of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Pandita, Vladimeros Vladimerou, Derek S. Caveney, David A. Hamilton, John M. McNew
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Patent number: 8126605Abstract: A computing platform for multiple intelligent transportation systems in an automotive vehicle having a plurality of sensors which generate output signals representative of various vehicle operating parameters. The platform includes a vehicle data center which receives input signals from the vehicle sensors and the vehicle data center is configured to transform these input signals into output signals having a predetermined format for each of the vehicle operating parameters. A central processing unit receives the output signal from the vehicle data and is programmed to process the vehicle data center output signals for each of the intelligent transportation systems and generate the appropriate output signals as a result of such processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Lorenzo Caminiti, Michael E. Samples, Michael R. James, Kenneth P. Laberteaux, Derek S. Caveney, Jeff B. Rogers