Patents by Inventor Zachary T. Batts

Zachary T. Batts 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: 11573567
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sensor systems, a controller-circuit, a first module, and a second module. The sensor systems are configured to determine position relationship data between a roadway and a host vehicle. The sensor system includes at least one of a computer-vision system, a radar system, and a LIDAR system. The controller-circuit is configured to receive and transform the position relationship data to effect steering control of the host vehicle. The first module is controlled by the controller-circuit to effect the steering control when the steering control transitions from a manual-mode to an automated mode. The second module is controlled by the controller-circuit to effect steering control of the host vehicle after control by the first module and upon meeting a prescribed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun
  • Patent number: 11029688
    Abstract: A rumble-strip following system for automated vehicle steering includes a vibration-detector, a steering-device, and a controller-circuit. The vibration-detector is configured to detect vibration experienced by a host-vehicle traveling a roadway. The steering-device is configured to steer the host-vehicle. The controller-circuit is in communication with the vibration-detector and the steering-device. The controller-circuit is configured to determine that the vibration is indicative of a tire of the host-vehicle contacting a rumble-strip arranged parallel to a heading of the roadway, and operate the steering-device so the tire follows the rumble-strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun, Junqing Wei
  • Patent number: 10909851
    Abstract: An intent communication system includes one or more sensors, a controller-circuit, and a broadcast device. The sensors may include one or more of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a radar, and a computer vision system. The controller-circuit is disposed in a host vehicle. The controller-circuit is configured to determine, based one or more signals from the one or more sensors, an impending vehicle maneuver. The broadcast device is located in the host vehicle, and is configured to broadcast a broadcast signal containing information directed to the impending vehicle maneuver to at least one vehicle determined to be in a vicinity of the impending vehicle maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun
  • Publication number: 20200103896
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sensor systems, a controller-circuit, a first module, and a second module. The sensor systems are configured to determine position relationship data between a roadway and a host vehicle. The sensor system includes at least one of a computer-vision system, a radar system, and a LIDAR system. The controller-circuit is configured to receive and transform the position relationship data to effect steering control of the host vehicle. The first module is controlled by the controller-circuit to effect the steering control when the steering control transitions from a manual-mode to an automated mode. The second module is controlled by the controller-circuit to effect steering control of the host vehicle after control by the first module and upon meeting a prescribed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun
  • Publication number: 20190378411
    Abstract: An intent communication system includes one or more sensors, a controller-circuit, and a broadcast device. The sensors may include one or more of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a radar, and a computer vision system. The controller-circuit is disposed in a host vehicle. The controller-circuit is configured to determine, based one or more signals from the one or more sensors, an impending vehicle maneuver. The broadcast device is located in the host vehicle, and is configured to broadcast a broadcast signal containing information directed to the impending vehicle maneuver to at least one vehicle determined to be in a vicinity of the impending vehicle maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun
  • Patent number: 10386928
    Abstract: A haptic effects generator includes a circuit configured to generate a drive signal, and a haptic actuator coupled to the circuit. The haptic actuator includes a casing having first and second axial ends, a coil configured to receive the drive signal from the circuit and situated within the casing, and a mass designed to move between the first and second axial ends in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. The haptic actuator also includes a first spring configured to damp the movement by the mass, situated between the mass and the first axial end of the casing, and a second spring configured to damp the movement by the mass, situated between the mass and the second axial end of the casing. The haptic effects generator can cause the mass to oscillate in a range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Israr, Nobuhisa Hanamitsu, Zachary T. Schwemler, Zachary T. Batts
  • Publication number: 20190250618
    Abstract: A rumble-strip following system for automated vehicle steering includes a vibration-detector, a steering-device, and a controller-circuit. The vibration-detector is configured to detect vibration experienced by a host-vehicle traveling a roadway. The steering-device is configured to steer the host-vehicle. The controller-circuit is in communication with the vibration-detector and the steering-device. The controller-circuit is configured to determine that the vibration is indicative of a tire of the host-vehicle contacting a rumble-strip arranged parallel to a heading of the roadway, and operate the steering-device so the tire follows the rumble-strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun, Junqing Wei
  • Publication number: 20180299957
    Abstract: A haptic effects generator includes a circuit configured to generate a drive signal, and a haptic actuator coupled to the circuit. The haptic actuator includes a casing having first and second axial ends, a coil configured to receive the drive signal from the circuit and situated within the casing, and a mass designed to move between the first and second axial ends in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. The haptic actuator also includes a first spring configured to damp the movement by the mass, situated between the mass and the first axial end of the casing, and a second spring configured to damp the movement by the mass, situated between the mass and the second axial end of the casing. The haptic effects generator can cause the mass to oscillate in a range of frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Ali Israr, Nobuhisa Hanamitsu, Zachary T. Schwemler, Zachary T. Batts