Patents by Inventor Martin Heckmann
Martin Heckmann 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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Patent number: 10940864Abstract: Control commands in a system and method for autonomously driving a vehicle or partially autonomously driving a vehicle are generated on the basis of an environment representation, which is generated from sensor signal of a sensing means. The environment representation where ambiguous objects are identified is such that information obtained from the driver of the vehicle are added. The system generates an information request. Additional information is extracted and accumulated in the environment representation map. Traffic is then determined and suitable control signals for the vehicles are generated. In case no ambiguous objects are included in the environment representation but the system is not capable of deciding on traffic, the driver is asked to disambiguate the situation or to instruct on dealing with the traffic.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventors: Martin Heckmann, Heiko Wersing
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Patent number: 10915770Abstract: A method for assisting a driver of an ego-vehicle in making use of a gap between vehicles to enter a traffic flow at an intersection is suggested, comprising the following method steps: First, other vehicles in the environment of the ego-vehicle are physically sensed using at least one environment sensor mounted on the ego-vehicle. Second, a gap size of at least one gap between two successive vehicles are calculated in a processor based on the sensor's/sensors' output. An ego-vehicle driver's gazing behavior using at least one driver sensor mounted on the ego-vehicle is observed and analyzed and an assistance signal is generated based on the result of the analysis and the determined size of the at least one gap. Finally, a recommendation or warning perceivable for the ego-vehicle's driver is output in accordance with the assistance signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventors: Martin Heckmann, Dennis Orth, Dorothea Kolossa
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Patent number: 10789836Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle. First information on an environment of the vehicle is obtained and an instruction from the vehicle driver is received. An evaluation task defining an aspect of a current traffic situation encountered by the vehicle and to be evaluated is defined from the received instruction. An evaluation of the obtained information according to the evaluation task is performed, and an evaluation result is generated. Other aspects of the traffic situation and their relation to the aspect defined in the task are then evaluated additionally. Finally an information on the basis of the evaluation result and the other determined aspects is generated and output.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventors: Martin Heckmann, Heiko Wersing
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Publication number: 20200160077Abstract: A method for assisting a driver of an ego-vehicle in making use of a gap between vehicles to enter a traffic flow at an intersection is suggested, comprising the following method steps: First, other vehicles in the environment of the ego-vehicle are physically sensed using at least one environment sensor mounted on the ego-vehicle. Second, a gap size of at least one gap between two successive vehicles are calculated in a processor based on the sensor's/sensors' output. An ego-vehicle driver's gazing behavior using at least one driver sensor mounted on the ego-vehicle is observed and analyzed and an assistance signal is generated based on the result of the analysis and the determined size of the at least one gap. Finally, a recommendation or warning perceivable for the ego-vehicle's driver is output in accordance with the assistance signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Martin HECKMANN, Dennis ORTH, Dorothea KOLOSSA
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Publication number: 20200012670Abstract: A system for assisting a user in fulfilling a task, the system comprises a human interface unit for communicating with the user, a task input unit configured to obtain unstructured knowledge source data on the task, and a processor. The processor interprets a user input obtained by the human interface unit. The processor further analyzes the obtained unstructured knowledge source data for generating an internal representation of the task and monitors a task progress in performing the task by interpreting at least one of the user input and image data. The processor generates a support signal based on the generated internal representation and the monitored task progress and outputs the generated support signal, wherein the support signal comprises information on manipulating at least one object or information how to perform the task.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Martin HECKMANN, Dorothea KOLOSSA, Nima NABIZADEH
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Patent number: 10421464Abstract: The invention regards a method, a system and a vehicle for analyzing a rider performance. The vehicle is any vehicle that employs a roll angle change for changing its driving direction. Firstly, physical motion parameters of the vehicle in motion are sensed and the measured data is supplied to computing unit. In the computing unit, segments in a time series of measured data are determined by processing the measured data in the computing unit. Each segment corresponds to a rider control behavior and the plurality of such consecutive rider control behavior build a riding maneuver. In the computing unit, the measured data within one segment for at least one of the segments is analyzed by computing at least one characteristic value for the respective segment and/or the sequence of determined segments is analyzed. Finally, an analysis result indicating the rider performance or rider skills is output.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventors: Martin Heckmann, Herbert Janssen, Nils Magiera, Hermann Winner
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Publication number: 20190232931Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle. First it is determined which part of a traffic scene is perceived by the driver and information on an environment of the vehicle is obtained. Then an area of the environment of the vehicle that is relevant for judging if the future trajectory may be used safely is determined and is generated and output. Based on the signal a warning is output to the driver or the vehicle is prevented from move further until the part of the traffic scene that is perceived by the driver can be determined to cover the traffic in the relevant area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventor: Martin HECKMANN
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Patent number: 10083605Abstract: The invention regards a method and a system for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle, as well as a vehicle with such system being mounted thereon. Information on an environment of a vehicle is obtained by sensing the environment. Furthermore, information on applicable traffic rules is obtained. A request from a driver is determined from sensing at least one of a driver's utterance, gestures, gaze and operation of vehicle control. The traffic scene as sensed is assessed on the basis of the environmental information, the applicable traffic rules and the determined driver request. Information as requested to be output is generated in response to the determined request of the driver. Finally the information in response to the request from the driver is output.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventors: Bernhard Sendhoff, Martin Heckmann
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Patent number: 9978273Abstract: A method and a system for improving a traffic participant's attention is such that, at first, information on the traffic scene that is encountered by the traffic participant is obtained. From the obtained information a traffic situation development is predicted. A measure for at least on future risk in the predicted traffic situation development is determined and a communication with the traffic participant is started. The communication comprises a first step of notifying the traffic participant and a second step of providing additional information in response to the traffic participants reaction to the notification which includes some information on the determined future risk.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventor: Martin Heckmann
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Publication number: 20180005526Abstract: The invention regards a method and a system for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle, as well as a vehicle with such system being mounted thereon. Information on an environment of a vehicle is obtained by sensing the environment. Furthermore, information on applicable traffic rules is obtained. A request from a driver is determined from sensing at least one of a driver's utterance, gestures, gaze and operation of vehicle control. The traffic scene as sensed is assessed on the basis of the environmental information, the applicable traffic rules and the determined driver request. Information as requested to be output is generated in response to the determined request of the driver. Finally the information in response to the request from the driver is output.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Bernhard SENDHOFF, Martin HECKMANN
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Publication number: 20170309173Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle. First information on an environment of the vehicle is obtained and an instruction from the vehicle driver is received. An evaluation task defining an aspect of a current traffic situation encountered by the vehicle and to be evaluated is defined from the received instruction. An evaluation of the obtained information according to the evaluation task is performed, and an evaluation result is generated. Other aspects of the traffic situation and their relation to the aspect defined in the task are then evaluated additionally. Finally an information on the basis of the evaluation result and the other determined aspects is generated and output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Martin HECKMANN, Heiko WERSING
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Publication number: 20170259829Abstract: The invention regards a method, a system and a vehicle for analyzing a rider performance. The vehicle is any vehicle that employs a roll angle change for changing its driving direction. Firstly, physical motion parameters of the vehicle in motion are sensed and the measured data is supplied to computing unit. In the computing unit, segments in a time series of measured data are determined by processing the measured data in the computing unit. Each segment corresponds to a rider control behavior and the plurality of such consecutive rider control behavior build a riding maneuver. In the computing unit, the measured data within one segment for at least one of the segments is analyzed by computing at least one characteristic value for the respective segment and/or the sequence of determined segments is analyzed. Finally, an analysis result indicating the rider performance or rider skills is output.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Martin HECKMANN, Herbert JANSSEN, Nils MAGIERA, Hermann WINNER
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Publication number: 20170148318Abstract: A method and a system for improving a traffic participant's attention is such that, at first, information on the traffic scene that is encountered by the traffic participant is obtained. From the obtained information a traffic situation development is predicted. A measure for at least on future risk in the predicted traffic situation development is determined and a communication with the traffic participant is started. The communication comprises a first step of notifying the traffic participant and a second step of providing additional information in response to the traffic participants reaction to the notification which includes some information on the determined future risk.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventor: Martin HECKMANN
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Patent number: 9650056Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a driver assistance system comprising the steps of providing information on an environment of a host vehicle, receiving a spoken instruction from a host vehicle driver, generating an attention delegation task for evaluation of the provided information from the spoken instruction, performing evaluation of provided information in accordance with said attention delegation task and outputting a result of the evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventors: Martin Heckmann, Heiko Wersing
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Publication number: 20170050642Abstract: Control commands in a system and method for autonomously driving a vehicle or partially autonomously driving a vehicle are generated on the basis of an environment representation, which is generated from sensor signal of a sensing means. The environment representation where ambiguous objects are identified is such that information obtained from the driver of the vehicle are added. The system generates an information request. Additional information is extracted and accumulated in the environment representation map. Traffic is then determined and suitable control signals for the vehicles are generated. In case no ambiguous objects are included in the environment representation but the system is not capable of deciding on traffic, the driver is asked to disambiguate the situation or to instruct on dealing with the traffic.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Martin HECKMANN, Heiko WERSING
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Publication number: 20150344040Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a driver assistance system comprising the steps of providing information on an environment of a host vehicle, receiving a spoken instruction from a host vehicle driver, generating an attention delegation task for evaluation of the provided information from the spoken instruction, performing evaluation of provided information in accordance with said attention delegation task and outputting a result of the evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Martin HECKMANN, Heiko WERSING
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Patent number: 9202466Abstract: The invention presents a method for analyzing speech in a spoken dialog system, comprising the steps of: accepting an utterance by at least one means for accepting acoustical signals, in particular a microphone, analyzing the utterance and obtaining prosodic cues from the utterance using at least one processing engine, wherein the utterance is evaluated based on the prosodic cues to determine a prominence of parts of the utterance, and wherein the utterance is analyzed to detect at least one marker feature, e.g. a negative statement, indicative of the utterance containing at least one part to replace at least one part in a previous utterance, the part to be replaced in the previous utterance being determined based on the prominence determined for the parts of the previous utterance and the replacement parts being determined based on the prominence of the parts in the utterance, and wherein the previous utterance is evaluated with the replacement part(s).Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventor: Martin Heckmann
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Publication number: 20130298735Abstract: A ratcheting wrench that includes a ratchet structure having an annular body, a ratchet body, a one-way clutch and a socket wheel. The ratchet body is received in the annular body of the ratchet structure and defines a socket wheel aperture. The one-way clutch couples the ratchet body to the ratchet structure and permits rotation of the ratchet body in the annular body about a first axis in a first rotational direction and inhibits rotation of the ratchet body in the annular body about the first axis in a second, opposite rotational direction. The socket wheel is received in the socket wheel aperture and coupled to the ratchet body for rotation about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, the socket wheel having a plurality of tool members that are spaced circumferentially apart from one another about a first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: Robert J.B. Hobden, Jamie S. Munn, Martin Heckmann, Corey D. MacTavish, William G. Harman, David C. Campbell
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Publication number: 20130262117Abstract: The invention presents a method for analyzing speech in a spoken dialog system, comprising the steps of: accepting an utterance by at least one means for accepting acoustical signals, in particular a microphone, analyzing the utterance and obtaining prosodic cues from the utterance using at least one processing engine, wherein the utterance is evaluated based on the prosodic cues to determine a prominence of parts of the utterance, and wherein the utterance is analyzed to detect at least one marker feature, e.g. a negative statement, indicative of the utterance containing at least one part to replace at least one part in a previous utterance, the part to be replaced in the previous utterance being determined based on the prominence determined for the parts of the previous utterance and the replacement parts being determined based on the prominence of the parts in the utterance, and wherein the previous utterance is evaluated with the replacement part(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBHInventor: Martin HECKMANN
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Patent number: 8312794Abstract: A ratcheting wrench having ratchet structure, a ratchet body, a socket wheel, and a ratchet clutch. The ratchet body is received into the ratchet structure and is rotatable about a first axis. The socket wheel is received in an aperture in the ratchet body and includes a plurality of tool members that are spaced circumferentially apart from one another about a second axis that intersects the first axis but is not coincident with the first axis. The ratchet clutch is configured to control relative rotation between the ratchet structure and the ratchet body about the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Robert J. B. Hobden, Jamie S. Munn, Martin Heckmann, Corey D. MacTavish, William G. Harman, Jr., David C. Campbell, Gregory R. Krier