Patents by Inventor Ryan M. Wiesenberg

Ryan M. Wiesenberg 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: 11866037
    Abstract: Vehicle alerts can be presented to the driver of a vehicle based on behaviors. It can be determined whether the driver will avoid an identified risk at a current location of the vehicle. Such a determination can be based on the past driving behavior of the driver and/or a general driving behavior of one or more other drivers. It can be determined whether to present an alert about the identified risk based on whether the driver will avoid the identified risk. In response to determining to that an alert about the identified risk should be presented, an intensity level for the alert can be determined. The alert can be caused to be presented to the driver at the determined intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Emily S. Lerner
  • Publication number: 20230349716
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to simulating change detection data. In one embodiment, a method includes converting features from a standard-definition (SD) map into high-definition (HD) map features. The method includes generating modified map features based upon the HD map features. The method includes training a machine learning model based upon the HD map features and the modified map features. The machine learning model is configured to detect a change between data from an HD map corresponding to an environment and sensor data generated by a vehicle in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicants: Toyota Research Institute, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Xipeng Wang, Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Patent number: 11798115
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting cargo. The system includes a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to communicate vehicle cargo data, the vehicle cargo data including dimensions of a cargo compartment and dimensions of one or more cargo compartment access points. The system also includes a mobile device configured to receive a transportation request from a user, the transportation request including a destination location and user cargo data. The system also includes a remote data server. The remote data server is configured to determine whether user cargo fits within the vehicle based on the vehicle cargo data and the user cargo data. The remote data server is configured to communicate an indication to the mobile device that the user cargo fits within the vehicle, causing the mobile device to render a user interface to provide a notification that the user cargo fits within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, John K. Lenneman
  • Patent number: 11781875
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for forming and analyzing connected roads. The apparatus can include processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines, based on a first map of a region having road segments, a second map having connected roads. One of the connected roads is formed by combining a plurality of the road segments and is longer than a threshold. The processing circuitry determines road complexity of one of the connected roads in the second map for route planning and/or testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Patent number: 11781881
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for vehicle guidance. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of vehicle guidance including determining a current lane-level position of a vehicle, comparing the determined current lane-level position of the vehicle to an anticipated lane-level position of the vehicle, the anticipated lane-level position of the vehicle corresponding to a lane-level position of the vehicle within a predetermined route of the vehicle, receiving, based upon the comparison, an input regarding an intended route of the vehicle, and generating, via processing circuitry, guidance information based on the received input regarding the intended route of the vehicle, wherein the receiving the input regarding the intended route of the vehicle includes determining alternate routes between a current position of the vehicle and a destination of the vehicle based on the determined current lane-level position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Matthew R. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 11679768
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for determining a scene representation for a vehicle are provided. A disclosed method includes acquiring data from one or more sensors of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting, using processing circuitry, one or more objects in a surrounding of the vehicle based on the acquired data; determining whether an object of the detected one or more objects intersects with a vehicle lane of travel; determining whether the object is in a lane of travel of the vehicle; determining inter-vehicle gaps and cut-ins between the object and the vehicle; and rendering a scene representation including the inter-vehicle gaps and cut-ins between the object and the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Colin Das, Matthew Hill, Emily Lerner, William Fanelli
  • Patent number: 11654921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting driver distraction, such as improving (e.g., maintaining) driver attention to driving when driving distractions are detected, are provided. A system may include at least one sensor for determining an attention of a driver on a travel path and an interface module configured to reengage attention of the driver on the travel path. An image capturing device may detect an environment surrounding the vehicle. A logic device may determine whether the environment surrounding the vehicle includes an external distraction or whether the driver is distracted by an internal distraction. The at least one sensor may monitor the driver for a distracted behavior. The driver may be required to take an action when a distraction is determined. For example, the driver may interact with a driver monitoring system to verify reengagement to driving (e.g., by identifying a second vehicle on the roadway).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Conners, Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Patent number: 11447149
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and issuing one or more safety measures if a person or an object has separated from a moving vehicle. The system may include at least one torque sensor coupled to the vehicle and configured to detect torque at a drivetrain of the vehicle. The system may further include at least one processor in electronic communication with the at least one torque sensor. The at least one processor may be configured to measure change in torque in real-time, where the change in time is directly proportional to a change in a mass of a load carried by the vehicle. The system may further include an alerting device controlled by the at least one processor. The alerting device may be configured to alert an operator of the vehicle when the change in torque exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Ethan W. Pomish
  • Patent number: 11439136
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems provide technology to detect a pest-related fault or failure of an electronic control unit (ECU). The technology may also detect a presence of one or more pests via cameras, LiDAR sensors, RADAR sensors, motion sensors, one or more sound sensors, or one or more heat sensors. The technology may also provide countermeasures to disable, remove or eradicate the pests from the vehicle. The countermeasures may include one or more of a laser to target small pests, an electrical discharge insect control system to exterminate insects, and a vibration or sound emission system to target rodents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Emily S. Lerner, Mahendra T. Kute
  • Publication number: 20220242436
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and issuing one or more safety measures if a person or an object has separated from a moving vehicle. The system may include at least one torque sensor coupled to the vehicle and configured to detect torque at a drivetrain of the vehicle. The system may further include at least one processor in electronic communication with the at least one torque sensor. The at least one processor may be configured to measure change in torque in real-time, where the change in time is directly proportional to a change in a mass of a load carried by the vehicle. The system may further include an alerting device controlled by the at least one processor. The alerting device may be configured to alert an operator of the vehicle when the change in torque exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Ethan W. Pomish
  • Patent number: 11399270
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods relate to technology to identify first performance metrics associated with a first plurality of remote devices, determine first reliability weightings based on the first performance metrics, and identify one or more characteristics of an emergency based on the first reliability weightings and data from a first plurality of communications, where the first plurality of communications are associated with the first plurality of remote devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Publication number: 20220200701
    Abstract: A method of determining one or more actions of a vehicle approaching an intersection having traffic lights is provided. Traffic information can be received from the traffic lights. A speed of the vehicle can be detected by a sensor. A distance between the vehicle and an intersection can be determined by processing circuitry. An amount of time for the vehicle to reach the intersection can be calculated. The traffic information with the amount of time can be compared. The one or more actions of the vehicle based on the comparison can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Charles A. HARDIN, Ryan M. WIESENBERG, Emily S. LERNER, William A. FANELLI
  • Publication number: 20220144284
    Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting driver distraction, such as improving (e.g., maintaining) driver attention to driving when driving distractions are detected, are provided. A system may include at least one sensor for determining an attention of a driver on a travel path and an interface module configured to reengage attention of the driver on the travel path. An image capturing device may detect an environment surrounding the vehicle. A logic device may determine whether the environment surrounding the vehicle includes an external distraction or whether the driver is distracted by an internal distraction. The at least one sensor may monitor the driver for a distracted behavior. The driver may be required to take an action when a distraction is determined. For example, the driver may interact with a driver monitoring system to verify reengagement to driving (e.g., by identifying a second vehicle on the roadway).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph T. Conners, Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Publication number: 20220138888
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting cargo. The system includes a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to communicate vehicle cargo data, the vehicle cargo data including dimensions of a cargo compartment and dimensions of one or more cargo compartment access points. The system also includes a mobile device configured to receive a transportation request from a user, the transportation request including a destination location and user cargo data. The system also includes a remote data server. The remote data server is configured to determine whether user cargo fits within the vehicle based on the vehicle cargo data and the user cargo data. The remote data server is configured to communicate an indication to the mobile device that the user cargo fits within the vehicle, causing the mobile device to render a user interface to provide a notification that the user cargo fits within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, John K. Lenneman
  • Publication number: 20220118976
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for determining a scene representation for a vehicle are provided. A disclosed method includes acquiring data from one or more sensors of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting, using processing circuitry, one or more objects in a surrounding of the vehicle based on the acquired data; determining whether an object of the detected one or more objects intersects with a vehicle lane of travel; determining whether the object is in a lane of travel of the vehicle; determining inter-vehicle gaps and cut-ins between the object and the vehicle; and rendering a scene representation including the inter-vehicle gaps and cut-ins between the object and the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. WIESENBERG, Colin DAS, Matthew HILL, Emily LERNER, William FANELLI
  • Publication number: 20220114628
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for improving accuracy of mobility technology. The system includes a vehicle having a fuel sensor configured to detect fuel data indicating vehicle fuel efficiency, and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to communicate the fuel data via a transceiver. The system also includes a remote data server configured to receive the fuel data from the vehicle, determine a baseline cost associated with a transportation request, and increase or decrease the baseline cost based on the fuel data to determine an adjusted cost. The system also includes a mobile device configured to receive the adjusted cost and render a user interface including the adjusted cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Noah Mitchell Einstein
  • Patent number: 11241977
    Abstract: Vehicle sensing systems and methods of sensing a potential presence of an occupant left behind in a vehicle are disclosed. A vehicle sensing system includes sensors to detect a ride height or camber positioning, a processing device, and storage medium including programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to obtain a first string of data from the sensors before a driver has entered the vehicle and the vehicle has been turned on, obtain a second string of data from the sensors after the vehicle has moved a distance, the vehicle has been turned off, and the driver has departed from a vicinity of the vehicle, compare the first string of data to the second string of data to determine if a difference exists, and when the difference exists, transmit an alert to external devices, the alert indicating a potential occupant being left behind in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Ethan W. Pomish
  • Patent number: 11221308
    Abstract: A system includes a conductive material configured along a segment of a road, a signal generator electrically coupled to the conductive material, where the signal generator is configured to generate an electrical signal for transmission across the conductive material, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the signal generator and the conductive material. The electronic control unit is configured to determine whether the electrical signal from the signal generator is propagating through the conductive material, and in response to determining that the electrical signal does not propagate through the conductive material, determine that a pothole is present at a location along the segment of the road comprising the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Haugen, Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Patent number: 11223928
    Abstract: A change in state is identified of cargo that, at least for a time period, is carried by a vehicle. Spatiotemporal data indicative of a time and a place at which the change in state of the cargo occurs are assembled. The spatiotemporal data are recorded in a distributed electronic ledger. An occupant of the vehicle is alerted of the change in state of the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M Wiesenberg, Emily S Lerner
  • Patent number: 11194008
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide for technology to identify a trigger event. In response to the trigger event, the technology executes a triangulation process that includes a transmission and reception of triangulation signals between the plurality of ECUs to identify current positions of the plurality of ECUs. A first current position among the current positions is associated with a first ECU among the plurality of ECUs. The technology conducts an identification that the first current position is different from a first recorded position of the first ECU. In response to the identification that the first current position is different from the first recorded position, the technology identifies an adjustment factor based on the first current position. The technology calibrates one or more of the plurality of ECUs based on the adjustment factor to adjust control of at least one system of a plurality of systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Wiesenberg, Brian J. Pinkelman