Patents by Inventor Shih-Ken Chen

Shih-Ken Chen 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: 20130151075
    Abstract: A rollover avoidance method may include determining tire loading for at least two tires of a vehicle. A stability of the vehicle with regard to rolling over may be predicted based at least on the determined tire loading. The vehicle may be controlled at least on the basis of the predicted stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Flavio Nardj
  • Patent number: 8417417
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes monitoring desired vehicle force and moment, monitoring real-time corner constraints upon vehicle dynamics which includes monitoring corner states of health for the vehicle, and monitoring corner capacities for the vehicle. The method further includes determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle force and moment and the real-time corner constraints, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Weiwen Deng, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Nikolai K. Moshohuk, Flavio Nardi, Jihan Ryu, Kevin A. O'Dea
  • Publication number: 20130054128
    Abstract: In a vehicle, an optimal path curvature limited by one or more constraints may be determined. The constraints may be related to lateral jerk and one or more vehicle dynamics constraints. Based on the optimal path curvature, an optimal vehicle path around an object may be determined. The optimal vehicle path may be output to a collision avoidance control system. The collision avoidance control system may cause the vehicle to take a certain path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Chad T. Zagorski, Aamrapali Chatterjee
  • Publication number: 20130030651
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system in a host vehicle that provides automatic steering control using differential braking in the event that the normal steering control fails. The system determines whether a collision with an object, such as a target vehicle, in front of the host vehicle is imminent, and if so, determines an optimal path for the host vehicle to travel along to avoid the object if the collision is imminent. The collision avoidance system may determine that automatic steering is necessary to cause the vehicle to travel along the optimal path to avoid the target. If the collision avoidance system does determine that automatic steering is necessary and detects that normal vehicle steering has failed, the system uses differential braking to steer the vehicle along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Jin-Woo Lee, Chad T. Zagorski, Aamrapali Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 8315764
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes monitoring desired vehicle dynamics, determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle dynamics and a real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution. The real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution is based upon a minimized center of gravity force error component, a minimized control energy component, and a maximized tire force reserve component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Weiwen Deng, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi, Valery Pylypchuk
  • Publication number: 20120283907
    Abstract: Method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for fail-safe performance of a lane centering system. An electrical power steering (EPS) system of a vehicle is monitored for a failure and operation of the lane centering system is switched to a differential braking controller to output differential braking commands to a differential breaking system upon determining that a failure of the EPS system has occurred, where the output braking commands direct the differential braking system to apply force a brake for a wheel of vehicle, such by the applied braking force the vehicle follows a desired path determined for a lane centering operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Woo LEE, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen
  • Publication number: 20120226413
    Abstract: A process for identifying a vehicle driver according to a pre-determined hierarchy. The process includes determining, in a first determination act, whether a first sub-process, of a group of multiple sub-processes, can be used to identify the vehicle driver. The first sub-process is pre-determined to be a most reliable sub-process of the group for identifying the vehicle driver. The process also includes determining, in a second determination act, only if the first determination act has a negative result, whether a second sub-process of the group can be used to identify the vehicle driver. The second sub-process is pre-determined to be a second-most reliable sub-process of the group for identifying the vehicle driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Publication number: 20120197469
    Abstract: A method for allocating forces among the corners of a vehicle having a redundant actuator suite includes determining a set of desired forces at the center of gravity of the vehicle, and allocating the set of desired forces among the corners of the vehicle as virtual control commands using a controller. The method also includes mapping the virtual control commands at the corners to actual or true control commands at the corners, and controlling a plurality of actuators at the corners using the actual or true control commands. The actuators may include friction brakes and wheel motors. Mapping the virtual control commands may include using a Least Squares formulation. Control of the actuators may be prioritized with respect to each other using weighting matrices. A vehicle includes a controller having actuators and a controller configured for executing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Shih-Ken Chen, Valery Pylypchuk, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Publication number: 20120101713
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an optimal collision avoidance path for a host vehicle that may potentially collide with a target vehicle. The method includes providing off-line an optimization look-up table for storing on the host vehicle that includes an optimal vehicle braking or longitudinal deceleration and an optimal distance along the optimal path based on a range of speeds of the host vehicle and coefficients of friction of the roadway surface. The method determines the current speed of the host vehicle and the coefficient of friction of the roadway surface during the potential collision, and uses the look-up table to determine the optimal longitudinal deceleration or braking of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path. The method also determines an optimal lateral acceleration or steering of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path based on a friction ellipse and the optimal braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Chad T. Zagorski, Aamrapali Chatterjee
  • Publication number: 20120101701
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system in a host vehicle that employs combined automatic braking and steering. The collision avoidance system defines thresholds that identify a time to collision with a target vehicle by the host vehicle that are based on the speed of the host vehicle, the acceleration of the host vehicle, the speed of the target vehicle, the acceleration of the target vehicle, the distance to the target vehicle from the host vehicle and a coefficient of friction of the roadway. The collision avoidance system provides full automatic collision avoidance braking if the time to collision is less than one threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is not clear. The collision avoidance system provides both automatic steering and braking of the host vehicle if the time to collision is less than another threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is clear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Chad T. Zagorski, Aamrapali Chatterjee
  • Publication number: 20120055744
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle including control of regenerative brakes and friction brakes includes monitoring a desired corner force and moment distribution, monitoring real-time actuator constraints including a braking torque limit of each of the regenerative brake, determining a regenerative braking torque for each of the regenerative brakes based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution and the real-time actuator constraints, determining a friction braking torque for each of the friction brakes based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution and the determined regenerative braking torque for each of the regenerative brakes, and controlling the vehicle based upon the determined regenerative braking torques and the determined friction braking torques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Valery Pylypchuk, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Weiwen Deng, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Publication number: 20120059547
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes monitoring desired vehicle dynamics, determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle dynamics and a real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution. The real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution is based upon a minimized center of gravity force error component, a minimized control energy component, and a maximized tire force reserve component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Ken CHEN, Youssef A. GHONEIM, Weiwen DENG, Nikolai K. MOSHCHUK, Bakhtiar Brian LITKOUHI, Valery PYLYPCHUK
  • Publication number: 20120029769
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes monitoring desired vehicle force and moment, monitoring real-time corner constraints upon vehicle dynamics which includes monitoring corner states of health for the vehicle, and monitoring corner capacities for the vehicle. The method further includes determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle force and moment and the real-time corner constraints, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Weiwen Deng, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Nikolai K. Moshohuk, Flavio Nardi, Jihan Ryu, Kevin A. O'Dea
  • Publication number: 20120022747
    Abstract: A vehicle control method includes iteratively modifying a level of braking of the vehicle until it is determined that the vehicle has substantially lost traction with respect to the road surface, then determining the coefficient of friction between the road surface and the tire based on the level of braking at the time the vehicle substantially lost fraction. In one embodiment, previous ABS or other vehicle control events are used as a basis for estimating an initial level of braking to be applied during the friction measurement procedure. Such a deterministic maneuver can also function as a collision warning to the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CHAD T. ZAGORSKI, AAMRAPALI CHATTERJEE, NIKOLAI K. MOSHCHUK, SHIH-KEN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8098174
    Abstract: A method is provided for initiating a parking maneuver for parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object. A target parking space is measured. A determination is made whether the measured target parking space is sufficient to allow an autonomous parallel parking maneuver. A region of feasible starting locations is determined to successfully perform the parallel parking maneuver between the first object and the second object if the available parking space is sufficient. A position of a midpoint of a rear axle is determined in relation to the designated region. A determination is made whether the midpoint of the rear axle is within the designated region. A driver of the vehicle is signaled in response to an instantaneous location of the midpoint of the rear axle vehicle being a feasible starting location to initiate the parallel parking maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen
  • Patent number: 8099214
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a vehicle path for autonomously parallel parking a vehicle in a space between a first object and a second object. A distance is remotely sensed between the first object and the second object. A determination is made whether the distance is sufficient to parallel park the vehicle between. A first position to initiate a parallel parking maneuver is determined. A second position within the available parking space corresponding to an end position of the vehicle path is determined. A first arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the first position and an intermediate position, and a second arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the second position and the intermediate position. The first arc shaped trajectory is complementary to the second arc shaped trajectory for forming a clothoid which provides a smoothed rearward steering maneuver between the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen
  • Patent number: 8095273
    Abstract: A method includes parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object in response to an available parking distance therebetween. The vehicle includes front steerable wheels and rear steerable wheels. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed determining whether to apply a one or two cycle parking strategy. An autonomous one cycle parking strategy includes pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in respective directions for steering the vehicle in a first reverse arcuate path of travel and then cooperatively pivoting the steerable wheels in a counter direction for steering the vehicle in a second reverse arcuate path of travel to a final park position. The autonomous two cycle parking strategy includes performing the one cycle parking maneuver and then changing a transmission gear to a drive gear and pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in the first direction for moving the vehicle forward to a final park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen
  • Publication number: 20110295464
    Abstract: A vehicle control system defines a set of predetermined criteria relating to the motion of the vehicle and a set of vehicle actions associated with the set of predetermined criteria. The vehicle actions each specify a steering action and/or a braking action. Friction data indicative of a frictional attribute (for example, coefficient of friction) of the contact region between the vehicle and the surface is received. The predetermined criteria are modified based on the friction data. When one or more of the predetermined criteria are met, the system applies the corresponding steering and/or braking actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CHAD T. ZAGORSKI, AAMRAPALI CHATTERJEE, NIKOLAI K. MOSHCHUK, SHIH-KEN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8056667
    Abstract: A method controls a parallel parking of a vehicle. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed. The distance is compared to a first predetermined distance and a second predetermined distance. An autonomous first steering strategy maneuver is performed for parking the vehicle between the first object and second object if the distance is greater than the first predetermined distance. The first steering strategy maneuver consists of a first predetermined number of steering cycles for parking the vehicle. An autonomous second steering strategy maneuver is performed for parking the vehicle between the first and second object if the distance is between the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance. The second steering strategy maneuver consists of a second predetermined number of steering cycles for parking the vehicle where the second is greater than the first predetermined number of steering cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen
  • Publication number: 20110087405
    Abstract: A method includes parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object in response to an available parking distance therebetween. The vehicle includes front steerable wheels and rear steerable wheels. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed determining whether to apply a one or two cycle parking strategy. An autonomous one cycle parking strategy includes pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in respective directions for steering the vehicle in a first reverse arcuate path of travel and then cooperatively pivoting the steerable wheels in a counter direction for steering the vehicle in a second reverse arcuate path of travel to a final park position. The autonomous two cycle parking strategy includes performing the one cycle parking maneuver and then changing a transmission gear to a drive gear and pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in the first direction for moving the vehicle forward to a final park position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen