Patents by Inventor XIAOFENG F. SONG
XIAOFENG F. SONG 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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Publication number: 20240025343Abstract: Vehicles and systems and methods for providing rearview displays for vehicles are provided. An exemplary system is provided for a vehicle having a gate moveable between closed configuration and opened configurations. The system includes a camera mounted to the gate and configured to collect dynamic pixel images of an area behind the vehicle; a display screen configured to display the collected dynamic pixel images; and memory configured to include executable instructions and a processor configured to execute executable instructions that enable the processor to crop the collected dynamic pixel images to display a lower portion of the collected dynamic pixel images on the display screen when the gate is in the closed configuration, and to crop the collected dynamic pixel images to display an upper portion of the collected dynamic pixel images on the display screen when the gate is in the opened configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Zhiyuan Du, Xiaofeng F Song, Joshua Michael Martin
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Patent number: 11760318Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes one or more first sensors, one or more second sensors, and a processor disposed onboard a vehicle. The first sensors are configured to at least facilitate obtaining first sensor data with regard to an external environment outside the vehicle. The second sensors are configured to at least facilitate obtaining second sensor data with regard to one or more eyes of a driver of the vehicle. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: determining a predicted gaze angle of the one or more eyes of the driver based on the external environment outside the vehicle, using the first sensor data; determining a measured gaze angle of the one or more eyes of the driver, using the second sensor data, and controlling one or more vehicle actions based on a comparison of the predicted and measured gaze angles.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Benjamin D. DiDonato
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Publication number: 20220289151Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes one or more first sensors, one or more second sensors, and a processor disposed onboard a vehicle. The first sensors are configured to at least facilitate obtaining first sensor data with regard to an external environment outside the vehicle. The second sensors are configured to at least facilitate obtaining second sensor data with regard to one or more eyes of a driver of the vehicle. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: determining a predicted gaze angle of the one or more eyes of the driver based on the external environment outside the vehicle, using the first sensor data; determining a measured gaze angle of the one or more eyes of the driver, using the second sensor data, and controlling one or more vehicle actions based on a comparison of the predicted and measured gaze angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Benjamin D. DiDonato
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Publication number: 20220219644Abstract: A vehicle includes a body supporting at least one camera. The at least one camera is positioned to collect images of objects outside of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a selectively operable vehicle system and a controller operatively connected to the at least one camera and the selectively operable vehicle system. The controller includes a gesture recognition system operable to process a gesture made by a person associated with the vehicle collected by the at least one camera and activate the selectively operable vehicle system associated with the gesture.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Wei Tong, Shuqing Zeng, Xiaofeng F. Song, Mohannad Murad, Upali P. Mudalige
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Publication number: 20210229681Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking objects in an autonomous vehicle having multiple sensors. A method includes: determining, by a processor, a type of an environmental condition associated with the autonomous vehicle; adjusting, by the processor, a weight associated with a first type of sensor of the multiple sensors in response to the type of the environmental condition; fusing, by the processor, sensor data from the multiple sensors based on the adjusted weight; tracking, by the processor, an object in the environment of the autonomous vehicle based on the fused sensor data; and controlling, by the processor, the autonomous vehicle based on the tracked object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Paul A. Adam, Dmitriy Feldman, Gabriel T. Choi, Xiaofeng F. Song, Julius M. Vida
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Publication number: 20210179115Abstract: A method and associated system for monitoring the on-vehicle yaw-rate sensor includes determining a vehicle heading during vehicle operation and determining a first vehicle heading parameter based thereon. A second vehicle heading parameter is determined via the yaw-rate sensor. A yaw-rate sensor bias parameter is determined based upon the first vehicle heading parameter and the second vehicle heading parameter. A first yaw term is determined via the yaw-rate sensor, and a final yaw term is determined based upon the first yaw term and the yaw-rate sensor bias parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jagannadha Reddy Satti, Xiaofeng F. Song, Shuqing Zeng, Abdoul Karim Abdoul Azizou, Azadeh Farazandeh
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Patent number: 11001248Abstract: A powertrain optimization method is used to identify the optimal torque operating range. The method for controlling the vehicle includes: receiving, by a planning controller, a trip plan based on an input from a vehicle-operator, wherein the trip plan is indicative of a planned trip; determining, by the planning controller, a current location of the vehicle using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) of the vehicle; determining, by the planning controller, a geography of the planned trip using map data from a map database; determining, by the planning controller, a target speed profile for the vehicle as a function of the trip plan, the geography of the planned trip, and a predetermined, optimal acceleration range; determining, by an adaptive cruise controller, a torque request as a function of the target speed profile, a predetermined-optimal torque range, and a current speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul A. Adam, Gabriel T. Choi, Xiaofeng F. Song
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Patent number: 10984260Abstract: Operation of a vehicle that includes an autonomous operating system including an on-board map database includes operating in a travel lane employing a lane keeping control system and an adaptive cruise control system and monitoring a plurality of lane reference markers. Periodically, parameters are determined, including a first lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a forward-monitoring sensor and one of the lane reference markers, and a second lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a GPS sensor and the map database. A difference and an associated variance are determined, and an error in the map database is determined when the variance is greater than a threshold variance. The vehicle operator is alerted to actively control the vehicle based upon the detected error in the map database.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Nikhil L. Hoskeri, Quan Zhang
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Patent number: 10967751Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to detect a sufficient charging cable connection, the system including a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the steps of: capturing an image of at least a portion of a vehicle body; determining whether the image includes a charging cable being sufficiently engaged with the portion of the vehicle body; and based on the determination of whether the image includes the charging cable being sufficiently connected to the portion of the vehicle body, producing a connection notification.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLCInventors: Valor Yaldo, Sai Vishnu Aluru, Xiaofeng F. Song
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Systems, methods and apparatuses for detecting elevated freeways to prevent engaging cruise features
Patent number: 10922969Abstract: Systems, Methods and Apparatuses are provided to control actuation of an autonomous operating mode feature of a vehicle to operate when the vehicle is on a limited access freeway. The elevated freeway detection system includes: receiving, by an evaluation module, a plurality of data in real-time about the vehicle including: mapping, GPS and radar data of the vehicle to provide at least a current vehicle location and image data to capture surroundings of the vehicle; determining, whether the vehicle is mapped on a limited access freeway by computing a matching probability location data of the vehicle to the limited access roadway based on the map data, radar data and GPS data; and sending a signal to inhibit the autonomous feature from engaging in the vehicle when the vehicle is not on the limited access freeway.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Haley M. Dalzell -
Publication number: 20200372263Abstract: Operation of a vehicle that includes an autonomous operating system including an on-board map database includes operating in a travel lane employing a lane keeping control system and an adaptive cruise control system and monitoring a plurality of lane reference markers. Periodically, parameters are determined, including a first lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a forward-monitoring sensor and one of the lane reference markers, and a second lateral offset for the vehicle based upon a GPS sensor and the map database. A difference and an associated variance are determined, and an error in the map database is determined when the variance is greater than a threshold variance. The vehicle operator is alerted to actively control the vehicle based upon the detected error in the map database.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Nikhil L. Hoskeri, Quan Zhang
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Publication number: 20200361471Abstract: A host vehicle that includes an autonomous control system that is capable of executing an automatic lane change (ALC) maneuver is described. The ALC maneuver may be executed when the host vehicle is seeking to merge into a lane of travel. This includes operating under conditions that include moderate to heavy levels of traffic. The host vehicle is capable of soliciting a desired gap in a target lane by using a lane centering offset maneuver to influence and observe proximal vehicles operating in the target lane before executing the ALC maneuver.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gabriel T. Choi, Paul A. Adam, Xiaofeng F. Song, Jeffrey S. Parks, Braden J. Swantick
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Publication number: 20200353826Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to detect a sufficient charging cable connection, the system including a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the steps of: capturing an image of at least a portion of a vehicle body; determining whether the image includes a charging cable being sufficiently engaged with the portion of the vehicle body; and based on the determination of whether the image includes the charging cable being sufficiently connected to the portion of the vehicle body, producing a connection notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Valor Yaldo, Sai Vishnu Aluru, Xiaofeng F. Song
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Patent number: 10789851Abstract: Vision sensor detection systems and methods for mobile platforms that proactively prepare for impending lighting scenarios. The method includes determining or predicting a lighting scenario (LS) as a function of GPS data and wirelessly received mapping data. An on-board camera system is then operated in the LS using an associated predefined profile (PDP) having a tone-mapping setting associated with the LS. Received sensor data and camera data is used to confirm each predicted and current LS; Each predicted LS change results in retrieval of an associated PDP with its tone-mapping setting. Each confirmed LS results in using the sensor data and camera data to customize the tone-mapping setting. The method cycles during operation of the mobile platform.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jay H. Sim, Xiaofeng F. Song, Sai Vishnu Aluru, Valor Yaldo
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Publication number: 20200167573Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for object detection within a camera blind spot in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a potential blind spot in response to a location, adjust a dynamic range of a camera, and detect an object in response to the adjusted dynamic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Paul A. Adam, Gabriel T. Choi, Dmitriy Feldman, Julius M. Vida
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Publication number: 20200169671Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for object detection within a camera blind spot in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a blind spot within an image, adjust a dynamic range of a camera, and detect an object in response to the adjusted dynamic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Gabriel T. Choi, Xiaofeng F. Song, Dmitriy Feldman, Paul A. Adam, Julius M. Vida
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Publication number: 20200108818Abstract: A powertrain optimization method is used to identify the optimal torque operating range. The method for controlling the vehicle includes: receiving, by a planning controller, a trip plan based on an input from a vehicle-operator, wherein the trip plan is indicative of a planned trip; determining, by the planning controller, a current location of the vehicle using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) of the vehicle; determining, by the planning controller, a geography of the planned trip using map data from a map database; determining, by the planning controller, a target speed profile for the vehicle as a function of the trip plan, the geography of the planned trip, and a predetermined, optimal acceleration range; determining, by an adaptive cruise controller, a torque request as a function of the target speed profile, a predetermined-optimal torque range, and a current speed of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul A. Adam, Gabriel T. Choi, Xiaofeng F. Song
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Patent number: 10593212Abstract: A method for an autonomous vehicle to perform an autonomous parking maneuver is provided. The method includes operating the autonomous vehicle to a destination and then operating the autonomous vehicle to a first parking location at the destination utilizing stored first coordinates of the first parking location. Next the autonomous vehicle determines whether the first parking location is available and performs the autonomous parking maneuver at the first location when the first parking location is available.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Valor Yaldo, Xiaofeng F. Song
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Patent number: 10551509Abstract: Methods and systems for vehicle localization are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a navigation system configured to generate navigation data corresponding to a global position of the vehicle, at least one image sensor configured to capture image data of a selected roadway feature along a projected path of the vehicle, a database comprising map data corresponding to lateral and longitudinal coordinates for a plurality of roadway features along the projected path of the vehicle; and a controller, the controller configured to receive the image data, the map data, and the navigation data, calculate a first distance from the selected feature to the vehicle using the navigation data and the image data, calculate a second distance from the selected feature to the vehicle using the navigation data and the map data, and determine a localization error by comparing the first distance to the second distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Valor Yaldo
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SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETECTING ELEVATED FREEWAYS TO PREVENT ENGAGING CRUISE FEATURES
Publication number: 20190371170Abstract: Systems, Methods and Apparatuses are provided to control actuation of an autonomous operating mode feature of a vehicle to operate when the vehicle is on a limited access freeway. The elevated freeway detection system includes: receiving, by an evaluation module, a plurality of data in real-time about the vehicle including: mapping, GPS and radar data of the vehicle to provide at least a current vehicle location and image data to capture surroundings of the vehicle; determining, whether the vehicle is mapped on a limited access freeway by computing a matching probability location data of the vehicle to the limited access roadway based on the map data, radar data and GPS data; and sending a signal to inhibit the autonomous feature from engaging in the vehicle when the vehicle is not on the limited access freeway.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Haley M. Dalzell