Having Controlling Means Adapted To Interact With Stationary Means Which Describes Course Of Vehicle's Travel Patents (Class 180/168)
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Patent number: 9884646Abstract: A parking assist system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: at the time of assisting in parking a vehicle to a parking area, determine a path from an initial position of the vehicle to a target position; generate a first circumference that passes through the initial position and that touches a traveling direction of the vehicle, as the path; determine a center position on the basis of a position of a rear corner of a parked vehicle ahead, a turning radius of the vehicle at a minimum turn and the target position; and generate a second circumference that has a center at the center position and that passes through the target position and touches both the traveling direction of the vehicle at the target position and the first circumference, as the path continuous with the first circumference.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Motokatsu Tomozawa, Motonari Obayashi, Hironobu Ishijima
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Patent number: 9886036Abstract: A system for controlling the travel path of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) from a first location to a second location includes assigning a virtual penalty for impediments in the potential travel path of the AGV, for each turn required to be made by the AGV in the potential travel path, and for transfers from one elevator to another. The determined virtual penalties are factored in determining the most expeditious travel path from the first location to the second location. The virtual penalty may be a virtual distance penalty or a virtual time penalty composed of one or more of the distance of alternative travel paths available to avoid the impediment(s), the time required to remove or move the impediment(s), or the time required to wait for the impediment(s) to be removed.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: John Bean Technologies CorporationInventors: Barry Douglas, Hugo L. Campacci, Aram Bohdjelian, Michael C. Repko
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Patent number: 9874871Abstract: In one embodiment, a number of steering rate candidates are determined for a steering control command of operating an autonomous vehicle. For each of the steering rate candidates, a number of individual costs are calculated for the steering rate candidate by applying a plurality of cost functions, each cost function corresponding to one of a plurality of cost categories. A total cost for the steering rate candidate is determined based on the individual costs produced by the cost functions. One of the steering rate candidates having a lowest total cost is selected as a target steering rate. A steering control command is generated based on the selected steering rate candidate to control a steering wheel of the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: BAIDU USA LLCInventors: Fan Zhu, Qi Kong, Guang Yang, Jingao Wang
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Patent number: 9867331Abstract: A utility vehicle having operator selectable onboard and remote controls is disclosed herein. The vehicle includes a prime mover and a power generating device driven thereby, first and second wheel motors, a drive controller in communication with the first and second wheel motors to control the output thereof and in communication with onboard steering and speed controls. A radio control receiver is in communication with the drive controller and with a radio control transmitter having steering and speed controls. The vehicle includes a control mode switch having a first position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the onboard steering and speed controls, and a second position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the radio control transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited PartnershipInventors: Jake Siudyla, Alyn G. Brown, Ivan E. Fox, Jesse L. Probst, Scott W. Keller, K. Mike McCoy
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Patent number: 9869560Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls self-driving vehicles (SDVs). An emergency message is transmitted to a receiver within a self-driving vehicle (SDV). The emergency message describes an emergency state of an emergency vehicle and an identified future route of the emergency vehicle. In response to the SDV receiving the emergency message, the SDV is redirected, via an auto-control hardware system on the SDV, to a location and on a route that does not conflict with the identified future route of the emergency vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Peter K. Malkin, Clifford A. Pickover
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Patent number: 9866035Abstract: A rotatable coupling includes an input housing rotatably coupled to an output housing by a tube fixed to the output housing and on which tube the input housing rotates. The coupling includes two magnetic flux concentrators disposed about the tube and defining therebetween an annular cavity, a first concentrator fixed to the input housing and a second concentrator fixed to the output housing, such that relative rotation of the housings causes relative rotation of the concentrators on either side of the annular cavity. The coupling includes concentric coils disposed within the annular cavity that permit power transfer across the coupling, a first coil fixed to the input housing and a second coil fixed to the output housing; an emitter fixed to the input housing; and a receiver fixed to the output housing and positioned to receive the signals from the emitter during the relative rotation of the housings.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Brian Doughty, Steven Shamlian, Jeffrey Curtis
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Patent number: 9855957Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, which is switched between a manual driving mode and an automatic driving mode is disclosed. At least in the manual driving mode, a vehicle-specific display device of the motor vehicle is operated using an input device arranged on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle. A communication connection is established between a communication device of the motor vehicle and a portable communication terminal separate from the motor vehicle. An entertainment mode is activated in the automatic driving mode of the motor vehicle. In the entertainment mode, the input device of the steering wheel is used for performing inputs at the communication terminal and/or the display device is used for displaying image data of the communication terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbHInventor: Patrice Reilhac
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Patent number: 9838836Abstract: A location detection system for person support apparatuses includes multiple network wireless access points that communicate with a plurality of mobile transceivers positioned on board the person support apparatuses. Based upon signal strength data (e.g. RSSI or RCPI) of messages from the access points to the transceivers, the locations of the person support apparatuses are determined. In some embodiments, the person support apparatuses include an additional location detection system that utilizes fixed locators having short range transceivers to generate a second location determination of the person support apparatuses. In still other embodiments, the person support apparatuses utilize the second location detection system to determine the location of the wireless access points. The person support apparatuses may also broadcast their location to other devices that then utilize the received signal strengths of those messages to determine their own location.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Michael Joseph Hayes, Anuj K. Sidhu, Jonathan Mark Greenbank, Aaron Douglas Furman, Richard C. Mayoras, Jr., David Terrance Becker
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Patent number: 9836972Abstract: A method for assisting with the positioning of a motor vehicle for inductive charging of a battery of the motor vehicle comprises reading a number plate associated with the motor vehicle using the number plate information to produce a location on the vehicle of a vehicle inductive coupling point (VICP) with reference to at least one reference point on the motor vehicle, comparing a predicted current position of the VICP to a fixed inductive coupling point (ICP) located in or on a road surface upon which the motor vehicle is to be positioned, and providing feedback to one of the driver and the motor vehicle indicative of the required action required to produce alignment of the VICP with the ICP. The method may further comprise energizing the ICP to charge the battery of the motor vehicle when the VICP is predicted to be aligned with the ICP.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees, Anthemios Philemon Petridis
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Patent number: 9836051Abstract: Automated drive assisting devices, methods, and programs acquire position specifying information for specifying a vehicle position during travel, and acquire a continuity degree that represents a degree to which automated drive can be continued on the basis of the position specifying information acquired during the automated drive. The devices, methods, and programs determine whether the automated drive can be continued on the basis of the acquired continuity degree, and determine vehicle control information for controlling a vehicle such that the continuity degree becomes higher on the basis of the acquired position specifying information in the case where it is determined that the automated drive cannot be continued. The devices, methods, and programs output the determined vehicle control information to a vehicle control device that controls the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Ken Ishikawa, Yuji Sato, Masaki Nakamura, Takayuki Miyajima
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Patent number: 9830821Abstract: A communication system comprises a pointable range finder to calculate a distance between the vehicle and an object, a recorder for recording a status of the vehicle and a control device. The range finder sends a signal to the control device corresponding to the vehicle's distance from the object and the control device operates the recorder in a manner dependent upon the signal from the range finder. The recorder is able to record the event if the vehicle is an unsafe distance from the object. The unsafe distance is able to be a programmed distance. In some embodiments, the unsafe distance increases with an increase in speed of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the unsafe distance is determined by a programmable constant. In these embodiments, the unsafe distance is determined according to a speed of the vehicle, the vehicle's distance from an object and a pre-defined safe zone threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Vision Works IP CorporationInventors: Fritz Braunberger, Beau M. Braunberger
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Patent number: 9826678Abstract: A method of mowing multiple areas includes training a robotic mower to mow at least two areas separated by a space, including moving the robotic mower about the areas while storing data indicative of location of boundaries of each area relative to boundary markers, training the robotic mower to move across the space separating the areas, and initiating a mowing operation. Training the robotic mower to move across the space separating the areas includes moving the robotic mower to a traversal launch point of a first of the areas and moving the robotic mower to a traversal landing point of a second of the areas. The mowing operation causes the robotic mower to move to the traversal launch point, move from the traversal launch point across the space to the traversal landing point, and then mow the second of the areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Paul C. Balutis, Andrew Beaulieu, Brian Yamauchi
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Patent number: 9815470Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Juli-Ann Luther, Jeffrey Twichel, Brian Nedward Meyer, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Swapna Rameshbabu Gaikwad, John William Brand, James Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Kevin Kapp, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, William Martin, James Andrew Napolitano, Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Eric Vorndran
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Patent number: 9804594Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system of self-calibrating sensors and actuators for unmanned vehicles is provided, which includes an unmanned vehicle comprising: a chassis; a propulsion system; one or more sensors configured to sense features around the chassis; a memory; a communication interface; and a processor configured to: operate the propulsion system in a guided calibration mode; automatically switch operation of the propulsion system to an autonomous calibration mode when a degree of certainty on a calibration of one or more of sensor data and a position of the chassis is above a first threshold value associated with safe operation of the propulsion system in the autonomous calibration mode; thereafter, operate the propulsion system in the autonomous calibration mode; and, automatically switch operation of the propulsion system to an operational mode when the degree of certainty is above a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Inventors: Ryan Christopher Gariepy, Kareem Shehata, Prasenjit Mukherjee, Anthony Tod, Teyvonia Thomas, Yan Ma
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Patent number: 9802620Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling an automated system of a vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes one or more automated driving systems, a plurality of input systems, and a processor. The plurality of input systems are used in connection with the vehicle, and are configured to provide inputs. The processor is coupled to the plurality of input systems, and is configured to at least facilitate: estimating a current position of the vehicle using the inputs from the plurality of input systems generating a current position estimate, estimating an error for the current position estimate, the error comprising an expected error radius for the current position estimate, and controlling the one or more automated driving systems using the current position estimate and the expected error radius.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Chalan Munasinghe, Curtis Hay
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Patent number: 9802632Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for reducing the drive delay of a rolling stock to reach a destination, the rolling stock being driven by a driver to follow a running profile that defines the speeds and positions of the rolling stock at different timings. The method comprises the steps of: —determining a current timing, —getting a nominal acceleration of the rolling stock, the nominal acceleration being determined by the driver of the rolling stock to follow the running profile at the current timing, —determining the speed error of the rolling stock with the rolling profile, —determining the position error of the rolling stock with the rolling profile, —determining an estimate of the time to reach the destination, —determining a marginal acceleration from the speed error, the position error and the estimated time to reach the destination, —accelerating the rolling stock with the sum of nominal and determined marginal accelerations.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Nicolas Voyer
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Patent number: 9799224Abstract: A platoon travel system organizes a platoon having plural platoon vehicles traveling in two vehicle groups, in which a preset inter-vehicle distance is reserved between each of the platoon vehicles. When a new vehicle joins in the platoon, the platoon travel system adjusts the inter-vehicle distance by decelerating, among all platoon vehicles, deceleration target vehicles that are the platoon vehicles behind a join position in the platoon, which are included in a latter one of the two vehicle groups.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuya Okamoto
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Patent number: 9796381Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automatic parking assist system and a method for operating the same. The automatic parking assist system includes a parking slot searcher configured to search a surrounding of a vehicle and obtain parking slot search information; a vehicle sensor configured to sense behavior information of the vehicle; and a controller configured to determine parking velocity of the vehicle by taking account of the parking slot search information and the behavior information, and perform a parking of the vehicle in a parking slot at the parking velocity.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Chan Hee Jung, Jin Ho Park, Joo Woong Yang
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Patent number: 9796421Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for facilitating control of steering in autonomous vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, an autonomous vehicle includes one or more wheel sensors and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to a side slip of the autonomous vehicle. A dual mandate of desired path tracking & stability is achieved by using a combination of two linear controllers. The first controlled facilitates tracking whereas the second controller facilitates vehicle stability. When the stability event occurs a gradual shift towards the second controller occurs and with recovery from stability event gradual shift towards the first controller. Mimicking of driver behavior by changing the desired trajectory and dynamic control gain adaptation are also added.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Pinaki Gupta
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Patent number: 9789605Abstract: Robots have the capacity to perform a broad range of useful tasks, such as factory automation, cleaning, delivery, assistive care, environmental monitoring and entertainment. Enabling a robot to perform a new task in a new environment typically requires a large amount of new software to be written, often by a team of experts. It would be valuable if future technology could empower people, who may have limited or no understanding of software coding, to train robots to perform custom tasks. Some implementations of the present invention provide methods and systems that respond to users' corrective commands to generate and refine a policy for determining appropriate actions based on sensor-data input. Upon completion of learning, the system can generate control commands by deriving them from the sensory data. Using the learned control policy, the robot can behave autonomously.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: BRAIN CORPORATIONInventors: Philip Meier, Jean-Baptiste Passot, Borja Ibarz Gabardos, Patryk Laurent, Oleg Sinyavskiy, Peter O'Connor, Eugene Izhikevich
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Patent number: 9788481Abstract: A robotic mower navigation system has a plurality of landmark tags sequentially spaced along or inside a boundary wire. Each landmark tag has a unique identifier. The robotic mower has a detector for detecting the landmark tags, and a vehicle control unit having memory storing data for each of the landmark tags including the unique identifiers, a departure angle and a distance from the landmark tag to another non-sequential landmark tag. The vehicle control unit determines the shortest route to a specified destination based on the stored landmark tag data.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Colin E. Das, David A. Johnson
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Patent number: 9776327Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for social behavior of a telepresence robot are disclosed herein. A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an object detection system, and a social behaviors component. The drive system is configured to move the telepresence robot. The control system is configured to control the drive system to drive the telepresence robot around a work area. The object detection system is configured to detect a human in proximity to the telepresence robot. The social behaviors component is configured to provide instructions to the control system to cause the telepresence robot to operate according to a first set of rules when a presence of one or more humans is not detected and operate according to a second set of rules when the presence of one or more humans is detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignees: INTOUCH TECHNOLOGIES, INC., IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Marco Pinter, Fuji Lai, Daniel Steven Sanchez, James Ballantyne, David Bjorn Roe, Yulun Wang, Charles S. Jordan, Orjeta Taka, Cheuk Wah Wong
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Patent number: 9764718Abstract: A method, and associated system and computer program product, for managing braking of a moving vehicle. A speed and deceleration of the moving vehicle are monitored. External and/or internal conditions relating to the moving vehicle and/or the vehicle's driver are detected. A hardware processor: calculates a braking distance for the moving vehicle for the detected external and/or internal conditions from the monitored speed and deceleration of the moving vehicle; determines a spacing distance between the moving vehicle and a second vehicle ahead of the moving vehicle; adds a cascading response distance to the calculated braking distance for a third vehicle ahead of the second vehicle; and determines that the calculated braking distance is greater than the determined spacing distance. An output is generated in response to the determination that the calculated braking distance is greater than the obtained spacing distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Christel Amato, Aaron K. Baughman, Wilfredo Ferre, Peter K. Malkin, Marc P. Yvon
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Patent number: 9746988Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing video data streams for an area. Objects are identified in the area from images in the video data streams. The video data streams are generated by cameras. First locations are identified for the objects using the images. The first locations are defined using a coordinate system for the images. Graphical representations are formed for the objects using the images. The graphical representations are displayed for the objects in second locations in a model of the area on a display system with respect to features in the area that are represented in the model. The second locations are defined using a geographic coordinate system for the model. A first location in the first locations for an object in the objects corresponds to a second location in the second locations for a corresponding graphical representation in the graphical representations.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Kyungnam Kim, Yuri Owechko, Arturo Flores, Alejandro Nijamkin, Dmitriy V. Korchev
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Patent number: 9739082Abstract: The invention relates to a method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps of: detecting the approach of a person (U) in the vicinity of the vehicle (V) by a detection device (3), identifying if the detected person (U) is authorized to unlock the vehicle (V) through authentication means, determining if there is an intention to open the movable panel (7), and—authorizing the opening of the movable panel (7) when an authorized person (U) with an intention to open the movable panel is detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: U-SHIN FRANCEInventors: Dietmar Krauss, Dragos Molocea
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Patent number: 9727058Abstract: A system for determining the position of a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors for measuring the magnetic field strength of a magnet, means and is configured for determining the position of the magnet with respect to a plurality of sensors wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in a two-dimensions array.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: 2 GETTHERE B.V.Inventor: Ralf Siebert
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Patent number: 9726686Abstract: An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central scheduler can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer. The distance encoding can include optical marks repeated at regular intervals (pitch), where the intervals are conveyed to the carriers wirelessly or via optical encoding. The pitch of the encoding can differ for different sections of track depending on the position precision desired.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Colin Mellars, Baris Yagci, Benjamin Pollack
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Patent number: 9721460Abstract: An in-vehicle surrounding environment recognition device includes: a photographic unit that photographs a road surface around a vehicle and acquires a photographic image; an application execution unit that recognizes another vehicle on the basis of the photographic image, and detects a relative speed of the other vehicle with respect to the vehicle; a reflection determination unit that, on the basis of the photographic image, determines upon presence or absence of a reflection of a background object from the road surface; a warning control unit that controls output of a warning signal on the basis of the result of recognition of the other vehicle; and a warning prevention adjustment unit that suppresses output of the warning signal on the basis of the relative speed of the other vehicle, if it has been determined that there is the reflection of the background object from the road surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignees: Clarion Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Takemura, Akira Utagawa, Shoji Muramatsu, Masahiro Kiyohara, Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Osamu Fukata
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Patent number: 9714159Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for controlling a container carrier comprising receiving position information (20) and receiving route information (22) in the cargo handling area (2) for the container carrier. The invention comprises assigning (24) to the cargo handling area (2) at least two portions comprising different speed categories in response to the route information (22), calculating the speed control information (28) at least in response to the speed category in the position of the container carrier, and sending the speed control information (28) to the drive control system.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Cargotec Finland OyInventor: Ilkka Annala
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Patent number: 9702707Abstract: An apparatus includes (i) an absolute position sensor coupled to a case, the position sensor including a light sensor, and circuitry configured to determine an identifier within a barcode, the individual bars of the barcode being sensed by the light sensor, and (ii) a motion sensor coupled to the case, the motion sensor including a first magnetic field sensor, a code wheel having two or more magnets positioned to rotate in unison with a wheel of the moveable object, and encoder circuitry configured to determine an amount of rotation of the wheel of the moveable object based on an output of the first magnetic field sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Applabz, LLCInventors: David Allan Goldman, Nirav Balkrishna Patel
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Patent number: 9703292Abstract: According to one embodiment, a limited section controller includes a traffic information update unit, a determination unit, a standby position setting unit, and a traveling restart setting unit. The traffic information update unit updates delay information of the traveling vehicle near the junction. The determination unit determines whether to permit the traveling vehicle to pass based on whether there is the traveling vehicle in the limited section. The standby position setting unit sets a standby position of each of the traveling vehicles of a limited number or less present in a standby section. The traveling restart setting unit determines an approach direction into the limited section.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Takufumi Yoshida, Keiichiro Urayama, Takashi Tanaka
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Patent number: 9701012Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided related to controlled interaction between a mobile robot and another entity in an operating environment. In one method, for example, performance of a task for a time is signaled for, wherein the performance of the task involves the entity. The mobile robot is operated to interact with the entity at the time.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Inventor: Daniel Theobald
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Patent number: 9699365Abstract: In a video recording environment, a compact, rugged, intelligent tracking apparatus and method enables the automation of labor-intensive operating of cameras, lights, microphones and other devices. Auto-framing of a tracked object within the viewfinder of a supported camera is possible. The device can sense more than one object at once, and includes multiple ways to easy way to switch from one object to another. The methods show how the auto-framing device can be “predictive” of movements, intelligently smooth the tilt and swivel motions so that the end effect is a professional looking picture or video. It is designed to be uniquely small yet rugged and waterproof. And it can accept configuration input from users via a smartphone or extreme-sports camera over wi-fi or bluetooth, including user-programmable scripts that automate the device functionality in easy to use ways.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Jigabot, LLC.Inventors: Richard F. Stout, Kyle K. Johnson, Cameron Engh, Kevin J. Shelley
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Patent number: 9684305Abstract: Example implementations include a system and method for remotely controlling the motion of a robot. In example implementations, the user is presented with a display having video from a camera on the robot augmented with abstract sensor data, and facilitates the user to draw motion path commands directly on the camera view. Analysis of the scene for obstacles is performed, so that the drawing of commands is interactive, preventing the user from drawing impossible paths. The path sketch is then transformed into the coordinate system of the robot and used to generate commands that will move the robot to the desired location. Sensor data is also used to augment the camera view, in particular for highlighting dangers and obstacles.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Sven Kratz, James L Vaughan
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Patent number: 9684836Abstract: A vehicle is provided that may combine multiple estimates of an environment into a consolidated estimate. The vehicle may receive first data indicative of the region of interest in an environment from a sensor of the vehicle. The first data may include a first accuracy value and a first estimate of the region of interest. The vehicle may also receive second data indicative of the region of interest in the environment, and the second data may include a second accuracy value and a second estimate of the region of interest. Based on the first data and the second data, the vehicle may combine the first estimate of the region of interest and the second estimate of the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, David Harrison Silver
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Patent number: 9670690Abstract: A parking system includes automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for moving automobiles to and from parking spaces in a parking facility. Each AGV is provided with a Hall effect sensor array. The parking facility has magnet arrays affixed to the floor of the parking facility. Each magnet array includes a plurality of magnets, with a specified arrangement of positive and negative poles of the magnets in the magnet array. The Hall effect sensor array senses the magnets and guides the AGV through the parking facility based on the position and alignment information determined by the Hall effect sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: PARK PLUS, INC.Inventor: Troy Allen Stephens
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Patent number: 9667875Abstract: A vision system for a machine system includes a first set of cameras mounted on the first section and a second set of cameras mounted on the second section of the machine. A controller is coupled to the first set of cameras and the second set of cameras. The controller includes a first and a second image transformation modules to convert a first and a second images captured by the first and the second set of cameras into a first and a second transformed image based at least on a view type, respectively. An image combination module combines the first transformed image and the second transformed image to a combined image with reference to the articulation joint. The image combination module communicates with a display device to display the combined image. The combined image is indicative of surroundings of the first section and the second section of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodrigo Sanchez, Peter Petrany
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Patent number: 9657446Abstract: A system configured to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured for measuring a property of a paving-related material and a cellular computer device configured for being in communication with and receiving data from the measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, IncInventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
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Patent number: 9643649Abstract: A driving support apparatus includes: a travel possible region detecting device configured to detect a travel possible region of a vehicle; a travel controller configured to carry out locus control based on a target locus; and a controller configured to decide a road center of a curve, which is located forward of a traveling direction by a pre-read distance which is set according to a vehicle speed of the vehicle from a driver's own vehicle position of the vehicle, as a reference point, at the time the curve exists forward of the traveling direction, decide a position offset from the reference point to inside of the curve by a lateral displacement which is set according to a radius of curvature of the curve at the reference point, as a target point, and create the target locus so as to pass through the driver's own vehicle position and the target point.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tadahiro Kashiwai
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Patent number: 9637363Abstract: A conveyor frame for a conveyor system, having a lifting table, particularly a scissor-lift table, and a storage device for electrical energy for supplying an electrical lifting table drive for raising and/or lowering the lifting table, in which the maximum electrical power consumption of the lifting table is greater than the maximum electrical power consumption of all other electrical devices of the conveyor frame supplied by the storage device.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Inventor: Christoph Mohr
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Patent number: 9630639Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Carter, Stephen E. Hannah, Jesse M. James
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Patent number: 9633438Abstract: A three-dimensional object recognition apparatus according to the invention includes: an omnidirectional sensor that measures surrounding objects in all directions, and generates positional information capable of specifying positions of the objects as a result of the measurement; a three-dimensional measurement device that measures an object within a certain measurement range among the surrounding objects, and generates three-dimensional shape information capable of specifying a three-dimensional shape of the object as a result of the measurement; and a control unit that updates a shape to be recognized as the three-dimensional shape of the object based on the three-dimensional shape information generated by the three-dimensional measurement device when the object is within the measurement range of the three-dimensional measurement device.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhito Tanaka
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Patent number: 9617698Abstract: A permeable paver and modular light system for making a parking space or a traffic lane using at least one replaceable lighting module or a plurality of replaceable lighting modules, wherein the replaceable lighting module or the plurality of replaceable modules have at least one power supply and at least one light source. The permeable paver and modular light system have a controller configured to turn on and off the replaceable lighting module individually or as a group, change a color of the replaceable lighting module individually or as a group, illuminate a configuration of the replaceable lighting module individually or as a group based on a stored configuration, and change the illuminated configuration of the replaceable lighting module individually or as a group. The permeable paver and modular light system have a plurality of permeable pavers to form a surface for supporting a load of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Inventor: Barry J. Stiles
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Patent number: 9619710Abstract: A system for analysis of remotely sensed image data of parking facilities, storage lots, or road regions, for determining patterns over time and determine time-based information such as facility capacities or vehicle movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: DigitalGlobe, Inc.Inventor: Mark Tabb
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Patent number: 9593463Abstract: Provided is a mine management system for a mine where an unmanned vehicle operates in an operation area of the mine, including determining based on position data of a moving body which is different from the unmanned vehicle whether the moving body enters the operation area, starting monitoring abnormality including abnormality of at least one of communication state and position detection state of the moving body based on manipulation on an input device installed in the moving body, setting an entrance prohibited area where entrance of the unmanned vehicle is prohibited to include a position of the moving body and activating a function of expanding the entrance prohibited area when an abnormality is detected, and activating an alarm device installed in the moving body when it is determined that the moving body enters the operation area and the input device is not manipulated.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Hiranaka
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Patent number: 9592766Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a stopping position are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining a stopping position for a following vehicle on a route, communicating with a leading vehicle to determine whether the leading vehicle is positioned on the route such that the following vehicle requires an adjustment to the stopping position, and adjusting the stopping position, based on the leading vehicle, to create an adjusted stopping position. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a coasting position for the following vehicle, based on the adjusted stopping position and sending a notification to a driver of the following vehicle regarding the coasting position, where the notification indicates to the driver a time to refrain from depressing an accelerator of the following vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Joshua D. Payne
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Patent number: 9594380Abstract: The instant application discloses, among other things, path recording and automatic navigation that may be applicable to various applications, including, but not limited to, lawn mowing.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Inventor: Travis Dorschel
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Patent number: 9582004Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for prediction of time available for autonomous driving, in a vehicle having autonomous driving capabilities and including at least one remote sensor configured to acquire vehicle surrounding information and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor configured to determine vehicle dynamics parameters. The method and apparatus include at least one of a positioning arrangement that provides map data with associated information, a route planning arrangement that enables route planning, and a real time information acquiring arrangement that acquires at least one of real time traffic information and real time weather information. The time available is calculated based on a planned route and at least one of vehicle surrounding information, vehicle dynamics parameters, map data with associated information, real time traffic information and real time weather information, for the planned route. The calculated time is output to a human machine interface in a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Marcus Nils Gunnar Rothoff, Erik Coelingh, Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, Douglas Hall Frasher, Per Rodjer, Jesper Andreasson, Jonas Soderqvist
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Patent number: 9573601Abstract: A system for automatic engagement of a driver assistance system comprises an input interface, a processor, and an output interface. The input interface is configured to receive data associated with one or more events. The processor is configured to evaluate the risk associated with the data and to determine that the risk indicates a state change in a driver assistance system is appropriate. The output interface is configured to provide an indication that the state change in the driver assistance system is appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Lytx, Inc.Inventors: Brett Hoye, Daniel Lambert, Greg Sutton
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Patent number: 9569782Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for automated customer business impact assessment upon a problem submission. A problem description of a problem with a product is received from a customer using the product. The problem description is automatically analyzed using natural language processing (NLP) to identify an issue including a subject. The issue and subject is compared with usage information stored in a repository for the customer. The method and system include predicting an impact of the problem to the customer, and prioritizing a solution to the problem based on the predicted impact.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew J. Lavery, Mario A. Maldari, Susan M. Manupelli