With Means For Controlling Operation Responsive To Electromagnetic Radiation, Magnetic Force, Or Sound Waves Received From Source, Or Reflected From Object Or Surface, Located Apart From Vehicle Patents (Class 180/167)
  • Patent number: 11909552
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle (UV) is provided for transmitting data to a payload device connected to the UV. The UV comprises a processor configured to control operations of the UV, a first and a second communication interface for connecting to a payload device, a third communication interface for communicating with a remote station, and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions configured to cause the processor to to receive and transmit data. The processor is configured to receive one or more data packets through the third communication interface from the remote station, transmit the one or more data packets to the payload device through the first communication interface when the one or more data packets are designated for the first communication interface, and transmit the one or more data packets to the payload device through the second communication interface when the one or more data packets are designated for the second communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems ULC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Prest, David D. Kroetsch, Michael Peasgood, Jerry Mailloux, Eason J. Choo
  • Patent number: 11862014
    Abstract: In a magnetic marker system including a magnetic marker disposed in a travel environment so as to be detectable by a magnetic sensor attached to a vehicle and a server apparatus which acquires detection information of the magnetic marker from each vehicle, the detection information uploaded from a vehicle side to the server apparatus includes marker information, which is identification information of a corresponding magnetic marker, and the server apparatus estimates the state of the magnetic marker based on the detection information from each vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AICHI STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiharu Yamamoto, Tomohiko Nagao, Hitoshi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 11807259
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle includes hardware systems configured to support the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle. Hardware systems may include a main compute, a brain stem computer (BSC), and an aggregator/compute arrangement or redundant autonomy compute. Such hardware systems may cooperate to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously, and typically provide capabilities, e.g., redundant and/or backup capabilities, configured to enable the vehicle to continue to operate in the event that a primary system is not functioning as expected. The aggregator/compute arrangement may further be comprised of two substantially identical modules or computing assemblies, each configured to process sensor data and perform backup autonomy functionalities and/or teleoperations functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Jeffrey Wei, Niels Frommann, James Nicholas Vines, Jonathan Beck, An An (Tom) Chu
  • Patent number: 11780487
    Abstract: A baby rocking device, adapted to impart a reciprocating cycling rocking movement to a perambulator, push-chair or the like, comprising a single roller, having an electric motor arranged inside the roller, the roller configured for rolling on a floor. The roller includes an inner non-rotating core having two ends portions projecting from opposite ends of the roller and connected to two receiving and supporting members configured for receiving two respective wheels of the perambulator or push-chair, so that the perambulator or push-chair is placed astride the single roller, and a cylindrical outer shell for contact with the floor, which is rotatably mounted on the inner core. The electric motor is carried by the inner core and is provided for actuating the rotation of the outer shell alternately in two opposite directions of rotation, so as to cause rolling of the single roller on the floor alternately in two opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MEDIKA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Amenduni Gresele
  • Patent number: 11753036
    Abstract: Energy consumption for a vehicle may be reduced based at least in part on an environment characteristic associated with the environment through which the vehicle travels or an operation characteristic associated with operation of the vehicle, thereby increasing an operational time of the vehicle. In some situations, reducing energy consumption may be associated with operation of one or more of a sensor (e.g., turning the sensor off, reducing a frequency or resolution of the sensor, etc.) and/or one or more processors associated with the vehicle (e.g., turning a processor off, reducing a rate of computation, etc.) based at least in part on one or more of the environment characteristic signal or the operation characteristic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Wimmershoff, James William Vaisey Philbin, Sarah Tariq
  • Patent number: 11758335
    Abstract: An air-pulse generating device includes a membrane structure, a valve structure, and a cover structure. A chamber is formed between the membrane structure, the valve structure and the cover structure. An air wave vibrating at an operating frequency is formed within the chamber. The valve structure is configured to be actuated to perform an open-and-close movement to form at least one opening. The at least one opening connects air inside the chamber with air outside the chamber. The open-and-close movement is synchronous with the operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: xMEMS Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jemm Yue Liang, Wen-Chien Chen, Jye Ren
  • Patent number: 11752936
    Abstract: A process of providing dynamic industrial vehicle feedback comprises storing in memory, data identifying a vehicle-based event that characterizes an operation of an industrial vehicle. Further, the process comprises storing into memory, operation information collected from an electronic component on the industrial vehicle that is associated with the identified event. The collected operation information characterizes a current operating state of the industrial vehicle as the industrial vehicle is being operated. The process further comprises detecting that the event has occurred based upon the collected operation information and generating an output message based on the detected event and the collected operation information. The output message is then conveyed on the industrial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 11745658
    Abstract: A method for providing visual information about at least part of an environment on a display device is disclosed. The method involves detecting a first vehicle travelling ahead by a sensor device, requesting and receiving the visual information about the environment, a view onto which is concealed partly by the first vehicle, capturing an image of a certain part of the environment including at least part of the first vehicle, and displaying the image of the certain part of the environment and the received visual information as a video stream embedded in the image on the display device. When it is determined that an object different from the first vehicle is present in the certain part of the environment and that the object cannot be driven over, the displaying of the visual information is modified so that the at least one object is clearly visible for a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Siav-Kuong Kuoch, Patrice Reilhac
  • Patent number: 11733695
    Abstract: A autonomous robotic golf caddy which is capable of following a portable receiver at a pre-determined distance, and which is capable of sensing a potential impending collision with an object in its path and stop prior to said potential impending collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: LEMMINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Doane, Rick M. Doane, Timothy Doane, Shea Doane, Robert T. Nicola, Kenneth M. Burns
  • Patent number: 11727508
    Abstract: A transporter vehicle management system includes: a loading weight data acquisition unit that acquires loading weight data indicating a loading weight of a load on a transporter vehicle; a vehicle speed data acquisition unit that acquires vehicle speed data indicating a traveling speed of the transporter vehicle; a road surface data acquisition unit that acquires road surface data indicating a condition of a road surface on which the transporter vehicle travels; a current damage amount calculation unit that calculates a current damage amount of the transporter vehicle on the basis of the loading weight, the traveling speed, and the condition of the road surface; a target amount calculation unit that calculates a target loading weight or a target traveling speed in which the current damage amount is set to a predetermined value; and an output unit that outputs the target loading weight or the target traveling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryota Ono, Tomoko Jinno
  • Patent number: 11712958
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an autonomous cart is provided. The method includes determining a mission type for the autonomous cart and determining a power system for powering the autonomous cart based on the mission type. The method further includes determining a drive system suitable for converting a power delivered by the power system into motive power suitable for moving the autonomous cart based on the power system and the mission type. The method further includes installing the power system onto a chassis of the autonomous cart and installing the drive system onto the chassis of the autonomous cart, wherein the autonomous cart comprises a control system configured to drive the autonomous cart autonomously via the power system and the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventors: Pinakin S. Desai, Peter Josesph Zerillo, Stephen Michael Faivre, Nathan Taylor, Kevin David Monk, David W. Larson
  • Patent number: 11703339
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for determining routes within a location. Location information for a location may be obtained. The location information may include terrain information for the location. A set of restricted regions within the location may be determined based on the location information. A set of paths within the location may be determined based on the set of restricted regions. An interface through which information describing the set of paths within the location is accessible may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Palantir Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John Carrino, Joseph Kruse, Jasmine Peterson, Leah Anderson, Paul Ryan, Reese Glidden, Andrew Elder, Kevin Ng
  • Patent number: 11679745
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a vehicle control apparatus or a rear-end collision avoidance apparatus, and may optimally set a reactivation condition for performing reactivation of a rear emergency braking function based on whether an engine operates after the rear emergency braking function is deactivated by a driver's braking input in an operation such as backward parking or the like, a vehicle speed and vehicle traveling distance after the rear emergency braking function is deactivated, a separation distance from an initial stoppage position to an obstacle after the rear emergency braking function is deactivated, and the like, thereby securing both convenience and safety of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: HL Klemove Corp.
    Inventor: Hyeongmin Woo
  • Patent number: 11665016
    Abstract: A communication system, including: a trailer module disposed on a cargo trailer, the trailer module including a trailer identification number for the cargo trailer; a tractor module disposed on a cargo tractor, the tractor module to electrically couple to the trailer module; and a communications bus to couple the trailer module to the tractor module when the trailer is coupled to the tractor, wherein, when coupled to the tractor module, the trailer module communicates the trailer identification to the tractor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DriverTech, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Haslam, Jan DeHoop
  • Patent number: 11641993
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for reducing a user-sensed weight of a wireless vacuum cleaner including a suctioning pipe and a suction motor disposed on a top of the suctioning pipe, the device comprising: a case disposed adjacent to the suction motor and having a space defined therein, and a rotatable assembly received in the space, wherein the rotatable assembly receives therein a motor and a battery, wherein the rotatable assembly is configured to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise when the motor is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jae Young Choi, Ji Na Park
  • Patent number: 11623624
    Abstract: A controller in a first vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive a first electrical signal, based on a presence of a first service brake demand associated with a first brake valve on the first vehicle, and a second electrical signal, based on a presence of a second service brake demand associated with a second brake valve on the first vehicle. The controller is capable of determining if at least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal indicates the respective presence of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. An electrical output port is adapted to transmit an electrical deceleration signal based on the presence of the at least one of the first service brake demand and the second service brake demand. A speed reducing mechanism on a second vehicle is applied based on the electrical deceleration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Phillip J Kasper
  • Patent number: 11611712
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method consisting in using at least one vehicle camera (8, 10, 12) to automatically check whether certain elements of the vehicle (2) are in a safe condition before starting off and in informing the driver of the check results, for example by displaying the check results on the vehicle dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Nicolas Berne
  • Patent number: 11597390
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for operating a vehicle. Real-time data related to the vehicle are received. A current mode of operation of the vehicle and a state of the driver present in the vehicle are determined. A first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle is evaluated based on the real-time data and the state of the driver in accordance with a risk model. In response to the first risk satisfying a first criterion, a second risk associated with switching the current mode to a different mode of operation of the vehicle is determined based on the state of the driver. The vehicle is switched from the current mode to the different mode when the second risk satisfies a second criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, Timothy Patrick Daly, Jr., David Wanqian Liu
  • 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: 11567195
    Abstract: An approach for providing a lower cost real time location system in less trafficked areas of a building. This approach uses on-board audio capabilities of a mobile device to receive a room response trace resulting from a self-generated acoustic signal. By comparing the room response trace to a modeled room response trace, the location of the mobile device is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Sonitor Technologies AS
    Inventors: Wilfred Edwin Booij, Mattheus Franciscus Ten Veldhuis
  • Patent number: 11551373
    Abstract: Various aspects of a system, a method, and a computer program product for determining a distance to the object on a road are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes a memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive visual data, location data and motion data of the vehicle corresponding to the first instance in time, and map data corresponding to the location data. The processor may be configured to calculate a distance of the vehicle from the object based on the visual data. The processor may be further configured to validate the location data, the motion data, and the calculated distance of the vehicle from the object, based on the map data. The processor may be further configured to generate output data corresponding to the object, based on the validated location data, the validated motion data, and the validated distance of the vehicle from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventors: Amit Gross, Silviu Zilberman
  • Patent number: 11507102
    Abstract: Methods and devices for actively modifying a field of view of an autonomous vehicle in view of constraints are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method is disclosed that includes causing a sensor in an autonomous vehicle to sense information about an environment in a first field of view, where a portion of the environment is obscured in the first field of view. The example method further includes determining a desired field of view in which the portion of the environment is not obscured and, based on the desired field of view and a set of constraints for the vehicle, determining a second field of view in which the portion of the environment is less obscured than in the first field of view. The example method further includes modifying a position of the vehicle, thereby causing the sensor to sense information in the second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
  • Patent number: 11505110
    Abstract: Each of a pair of left and right vehicle head lamps includes a plurality of optical units in a lamp chamber. A variable light distribution type optical unit that changes a light distribution mode of a high beam depending on a surrounding state and a traveling state of a vehicle is disposed in a first vehicle head lamp on a passenger seat side, and a figure drawing optical unit capable of forming a desired figure on a road surface in front of the vehicle by emitted light is disposed at a position symmetrical to the variable light distribution type optical unit in a second vehicle head lamp on a driver seat side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Naoki Tatara, Norihiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11505183
    Abstract: A driver assistance system and method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HL Klemove Corp.
    Inventor: Hyun Beom Kim
  • Patent number: 11486709
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for ground distance calculations using sanitized location data. One method comprises a service provider obtaining: (i) a geographic zone identifier of multiple predefined geographic zones of a first location of a user, and (ii) a first distance between the first location of the user and multiple reference points that define boundaries of the predefined geographic zones; the service provider obtaining: (i) a geographic zone identifier of the multiple predefined geographic zones of a second location of the user, and (ii) a second distance between the first location of the user and the multiple reference points; and computing a ground distance between the first location and the second location by selecting a subset of the multiple reference points based at least in part on the relative geographic zones of the current and second locations. The user may: (i) estimate the first location and calculate the first distance; and/or (ii) compute the first and second distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Alex Zaslavsky, Guoying Luo, Salah E. Machani
  • Patent number: 11483967
    Abstract: An automated lawn mower has a frame that is attached to a conventional lawn mower to retrofit the conventional lawn mower for automated lawn cutting operations. In some embodiments, one or more wheels of the conventional lawn mower are removed, and the frame is coupled to the lawn mower at one or more connection points for the removed wheels. The frame is coupled to a motor, a controller, and a plurality of wheels. During operation, the motor drives the wheels under the control of the controller in order to move the automated lawn mower over a lawn for grass cutting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventors: Gavyn Grove, Joseph Martin, Matthew L'Antigua, Rahul Rameshbabu, Tyler Oliger, Farbod Fahimi
  • Patent number: 11472337
    Abstract: When an industrial vehicle encounters a geo-feature, one or more messages for conveyance on the industrial vehicle are determined based on a current operating state of the industrial vehicle and an expected operating condition associated with the encountered geo-feature. In an example implementation, the geo-feature can implement aisle control in a warehouse or similar environment to ensure that only authorized vehicles are permitted to enter the aisle. Here, authorization may be predicated upon an assigned task from a warehouse management system. In another example implementation, the industrial vehicle includes a display that provides a graphical representation of the geo-feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis H. Manci, Philip W. Swift, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 11458966
    Abstract: A method for determining kinematics of a target includes generating a measured trace of a target position, speed, and angle of a target relative to an ego vehicle. The radius of the curve that the target is taking is calculated, using the generated trace. A number of paths possible to be followed by the target are projected, expressed as abstract movement functions of a polynomial degree and using as input the calculated radius. At each further cycle, higher probabilities are added to the paths projected in a previous measuring cycle which are equal with the newly projected ones. The projected paths are kept if the radius remains the same as in the previous measuring cycle. The current kinematics values are computed by smoothing filtering as predicted kinematics values, which are compared with the kinematics values resulted from the projected paths, to determine the final kinematics values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Continental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Sasu
  • Patent number: 11458990
    Abstract: An automatic driving vehicle is appropriately fielded into a travel route. Provided is an automatic driving vehicle that is controlled by an operation management center, and has an automatic mode to automatically travel along a set travel route. An input to shift to the automatic mode is performed by an operator, a travel start instruction is received from the operation management center, a state of waiting for a start manipulation by the operator is provided, and in the start manipulation waiting state, in a case where the start manipulation is performed and a case where the start manipulation is not performed and a predetermined time elapses, start is performed to start travel in the automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Kazuhiro Umeda
  • Patent number: 11446810
    Abstract: A robotic assistant comprises a plurality of sensors in a compact and unobtrusive form. One or more sensors may be emplaced upon a mast that may be selectively raised and lowered. The mast allows the robotic assistant to acquire images or other sensor data from a greater height, without substantially increasing the bulk of the robotic assistant. For ease of transport from one floor to another or from one building to another, the robotic assistant may deploy a handhold that a human may use to pick up and carry the robotic assistant. Floor characterization sensors may be used to determine characteristics of the floor such as if the floor is wet or dry. The robotic assistant may be used to provide a user with access to network services, to monitor a facility, provide telepresence services, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Albert John Yu Sam Chua, Paul Leland Mandel, Adam Barry Fineberg, Christopher Clive Jones, Stephen Anthony Kitchens, Christopher Lorenzo Dunn, Omar Sze Leung, Carl Philip Taussig, John Edwin Johnston
  • Patent number: 11436923
    Abstract: The technology provided herein relates to a roadside infrastructure sensing system for Intelligent Road Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) and, in particular, to devices, systems, and methods for data fusion and communication that provide proactive sensing support to connected and automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CAVH LLC
    Inventors: Bin Ran, Huachun Tan, Zhen Zhang, Yang Cheng, Xiaotian Li, Tianyi Chen, Shuoxuan Dong, Kunsong Shi
  • Patent number: 11433917
    Abstract: A disclosed vehicle guidance system includes a transceiver receiving information indicative of operating conditions of other vehicles along a roadway and a controller within a primary vehicle. The controller utilizes the received information indicative of operating conditions to determine a recommended vehicle path along the roadway responsive to the operation of the other vehicles, the position of the primary vehicle and a scenario selected based on both the information of operation of other vehicles and the position of the primary vehicle received by the controller. A communication device communicates the recommended vehicle path to the operator of the primary vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Continental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC
    Inventors: Ganesh Adireddy, Javier Adolfo Alcazar Olan, Dominik Froehlich, Ibro Muharemovic
  • Patent number: 11427220
    Abstract: An automatic driving vehicle is appropriately fielded into a travel route. Provided is an automatic driving vehicle that is controlled by an operation management center, and has an automatic mode to automatically travel along a set travel route. An input to shift to the automatic mode is performed by an operator, a travel start instruction is received from the operation management center, a state of waiting for a start manipulation by the operator is provided, and in the start manipulation waiting state, in a case where the start manipulation is performed and a case where the start manipulation is not performed and a predetermined time elapses, start is performed to start travel in the automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Kazuhiro Umeda
  • Patent number: 11427169
    Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for determining positions of a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving, in response to the electrical start signal, a data signal at the communications port which includes a GPS signal and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: John V Ripley, Majed M Hamdan
  • Patent number: 11427188
    Abstract: An automated valet parking system identifies a node section where a target vehicle is located based on position information on nodes corresponding to passages in a parking place and on a vehicle position, identifies target nodes that are a predetermined number of the nodes including a next-passing node that is one of not-yet-passed nodes of the target vehicle and is the node that the target vehicle will pass next on a target route, acquires node information associated with the target nodes based on the target nodes and parking place map information, and gives an instruction to the target vehicle by sending the node information on driving boundaries and targets associated with the target nodes to the target vehicle based on the results of a node information acquisition unit, a node section identification unit, and a target node identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Sugano
  • Patent number: 11422566
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence robot cleaner is provided. The artificial intelligence robot cleaner includes a driving unit configured to drive the artificial intelligence robot cleaner, a cleaning unit configured to remove contaminant, a rear camera configured to photograph a rear area of the artificial intelligence robot cleaner, and a processor configured to determine whether cleaning of an already cleaned area is completed by using the image of the rear area of the artificial intelligence robot cleaner, and if the cleaning is not completed, control the driving unit and the cleaning unit to reclean the area where the cleaning is not completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jonghoon Chae
  • Patent number: 11414152
    Abstract: An automatic guided vehicles (AGV) can include: motors, wheels, motor controllers, and batteries coupled to an elongated frame. The two wheels can be mounted on opposite sides of the elongated frame. The wheels can be coupled to motors which can be controlled by motor controllers. The motors and motor controllers can be attached to the frame. The center of gravity can be lower than the axis of rotation of the wheels so that the AGV will passively rotated into an upright position. A connector flange can be mounted on top of a payload holder column mounted to a center portion of the AGV frame. Objects can be mounted on or towed by the connector flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Arrival Limited
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Krinkin, Leonid Mikchailovich Lesin
  • Patent number: 11415612
    Abstract: A complex dielectric sensor includes at least two voltage dividers to measure voltage amplitudes in a circuit of at least two impedances connected to a transducer probe. The impedances are configured to reduce amplification of raw error using relatively simple geometric calculations based on mapping the voltage amplitudes as a pair of intersecting circles in a complex admittance space. Instrument sensitivity can be optimized by selecting impedances with moduli in the complex admittance space that are similar in magnitude to the modulus of the sample admittance and by selecting impedances that cause characteristic directions of the voltage dividers (relative to the sample admittance in the complex admittance space) to be oriented as close to perpendicular to each other as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: METER GROUP, INC. USA
    Inventors: Paolo Castiglione, Gaylon S. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11393340
    Abstract: An automatic parking system includes a sensor detecting parking areas depending on a size of a subject vehicle and a controller controlling the subject vehicle to be parked in an optimal parking area among the parking areas, in which the sensor may detect the parking areas in consideration of a length and a width of the subject vehicle and detect a spaced distance from surrounding vehicles positioned on a side of the subject vehicle in the optimal parking area and the controller may calculate a moving path between a current position of the subject vehicle and the optimal parking area and compare a predetermined reference distance and the spaced distances to control the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoon Soo Kim, Jin Ho Park, Joo Woong Yang, Jae Hwan Jeon, Kyung Soo Ha, Min Byeong Lee, Seung Wook Park, Jong Ho Lee, In Yong Jung
  • Patent number: 11383701
    Abstract: An obstacle avoiding guidance system includes a processing device and a guidance device. The processing device sets a movement range in a certain field. The guidance device is disposed on a vehicle and has a detection module, a positioning module, and a calculation module. The detection module detects the current position of the user. The positioning module detects the current position of the vehicle and generates a position signal. The calculation module compares the position signal with the movement range for controlling the vehicle to follow the user in the movement range. Therefore, the vehicle is prevented from entering an improper area and able to effectively follow the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Ching Meng
  • Patent number: 11383110
    Abstract: A smoke and fire source detection system including a flexible printed circuit board with a film substrate and an electrical conductor layer formed on the film substrate, which includes a two-dimensional conductor path pattern. The flexible printed circuit board includes a first end portion with an electronic control device and a data and energy supply interface coupled to the electronic control device, a second end portion with an ground connection, a data and energy supply conductor path formed in the electrical conductor layer between the data and energy supply interface of the first end portion and a ground connection of the second end portion, and one or more sensor module portions which are arranged at different longitudinal extension positions along the flexible printed circuit board between the first end portion and the second end portion and which each include a temperature sensor and/or smoke detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Udo Freitag, Yener Palit
  • Patent number: 11377069
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive an instruction to revoke an authorization for an operator to operate a vehicle; after receiving the instruction, permit the operator to operate the vehicle until the vehicle is turned off and a condition is met; and upon the vehicle being off and the condition being met, prevent the operator from operating the vehicle. The condition depends on a status of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Edwin Hanson, Ali Hassani, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11372402
    Abstract: An autonomous grain cart includes a width less than or equal to a distance from an end of the header of an agricultural vehicle to a lateral side of the agricultural vehicle, wherein the end and the lateral side are on a same longitudinal side of a lateral centerline of the agricultural vehicle, wherein the autonomous grain cart is configured to receive grain from the agricultural vehicle. The autonomous grain cart also includes a controller, comprising a processor and a memory. The autonomous grain cart further includes a drive system communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the drive system to propel the autonomous grain cart. The autonomous grain cart also includes a steering system communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the steering system to steer the autonomous grain cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Pinakin S. Desai, Peter Joseph Zerillo, Stephen Michael Faivre, Nathan Taylor, Kevin David Monk, David W. Larson
  • Patent number: 11373414
    Abstract: An image processing system includes: a possibility determination unit that determines whether there is a possibility that an obstacle is shown in an image acquired by an image acquisition device of a vehicle; a transmitting unit that transmits, from the vehicle, image information of the acquired image if it has been determined that there is a possibility that an obstacle is shown therein; a receiving unit that receives the image information from vehicles; a processing unit that performs image processing to identify an obstacle shown in the acquired image; and a duplication determination unit that determines whether or not an identified obstacle, which has been identified in a previous acquired image, is shown in a subsequent acquired image received by the receiving unit, wherein the processing unit performs the image processing on the subsequent acquired image if the subsequent acquired image has been determined to not show the identified obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryota Okubi
  • Patent number: 11364922
    Abstract: A driving assistance device (10) is mounted in a mobile body (100). An abnormality detection unit (22) detects an abnormality in a sensor mounted in a peripheral body moving on a periphery of the mobile body (100). An assistance determination unit (23) reads a control pattern corresponding to a sensing area of a sensor whose abnormality has been detected by the abnormality detection unit (22), from a pattern storage unit (31). A path generation unit (24) generates path data indicating a moving path of the mobile body (100) to correspond to the control pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Hamada
  • Patent number: 11356932
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for performing a channel scan based on a mobility state of a device. The mobility state of a device relative to an access point may be determined using time-of-flight information. A channel scan may be performed based on the mobility state determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Souvik Sen, Anil Gupta, Manfred R. Arndt, Jung Gun Lee
  • Patent number: 11347240
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for determining a path of a vehicle. The method includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal among RF signals predefined corresponding to other vehicles in front of the vehicle, and determining a path of the vehicle based on the received RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do-kwan Oh, Young-wan Seo
  • Patent number: 11349851
    Abstract: Aspects of validating information sent to and/or received by a computing device, such as a vehicle computing device, are discussed herein. A vehicle may receive information associated with a computing device, the information indicating that the computing device is authorized to provide guidance information to an autonomous vehicle. Further, the vehicle can receive a message comprising the guidance information associated with the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle can determine that the message is associated with the computing device and can evaluate the message based at least in part on configuration data associated with maneuvering the autonomous vehicle or state information associated with the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle can be controlled based at least in part on evaluating the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Gogna, Meredith James Goldman
  • Patent number: 11345366
    Abstract: An in-vehicle processing device includes an offset route generation part configured to generate an offset route by offsetting to an oncoming lane an outbound route in a street on which the host vehicle has previously traveled, a candidate point generation part configured to generate a plurality of candidate points that are candidates for a return route based on the offset route generated by the offset route generation part, a candidate route generation part configured to generate a plurality of candidate routes by connecting the candidate points generated by the candidate point generation part, and a route selection part configured to select the return route based on the plurality of candidate routes generated by the candidate route generation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kaneko, Daiki Kurosawa, Hiroshi Shojima
  • Patent number: 11341781
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for technology to identify, at a first vehicle, one or more driving factors associated with a potential future action of the first vehicle, determine that the one or more driving factors are to be stored as remotely accessible data and cause the remotely accessible data to be stored to an online storage in association with an identifier of the first vehicle. The technology may further, at a second vehicle, identify the identifier from sensor data, access the remotely accessible data based on the identifier, and one or more of cause at least part of the remotely accessible data to be presented to a user of the second vehicle or modify a driving parameter of the second vehicle based on the remotely accessible data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Paxton Williams, Danil Prokhorov, Todd Muck