Radiation, Force, Or Waves Reflected From External Object Or Surface Patents (Class 180/169)
  • Patent number: 9789904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a maneuvering system (2) for the automated maneuvering of a motor vehicle (1), including an on-board control device (3) which is designed to provide control signals (S) to a drive device and/or steering device (5) of the motor vehicle (1) and thereby to carry out a maneuvering operation of the motor vehicle (1) automatically, and including a portable communication device (4) which is operable by a user, which is designed to communicate wirelessly with the on-board control device (3) and thereby to enable and/or interrupt the maneuvering operation as a function of an input by the user at an operating device (8) of the portable communication device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolas Jecker, Oliver Grimm, Vsevolod Vovkushevsky
  • Patent number: 9785846
    Abstract: A method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions applied to a perception mergence system of a vehicular computer in a vehicle. The method includes steps of: the vehicular computer receiving obstruction information of at least obstruction, image information corresponding to the obstruction information and vehicle body signals, and using a classifier to classify them; calculating a detection result of each range sensor to calculate a existence confidence; using the existence confidences and precision of the classifier to calculate a classification belief assignment of each range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; performing mergence calculation on the classification belief assignments to respectively quantify an obstruction classification confidence of all the range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; and performing a classification ineffectiveness filtering mechanism to exclude the obstruction whose obstruction classification confidence less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH & TEST CENTER
    Inventors: Ping-Min Hsu, Ming-Hung Li
  • Patent number: 9786187
    Abstract: A transportation network is provided that utilizes autonomous vehicles (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles) for identifying, acquiring, and transporting items between network locations without requiring human interaction. A travel path for an item through the transportation network may include a passing of the item from one autonomous vehicle to another or otherwise utilizing different autonomous vehicles for transporting the item along different path segments (e.g., between different network locations). Different possible travel paths through the transportation network may be evaluated, and a travel path for an item may be selected based on transportation factors such as travel time, cost, safety, etc., which may include consideration of information regarding current conditions (e.g., related to network congestion, inclement weather, etc.). Autonomous vehicles of different sizes, carrying capacities, travel ranges, travel speeds, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Bar-Zeev, Brian C. Beckman, Daniel Buchmueller, Steven Gregory Dunn, Gur Kimchi
  • Patent number: 9783064
    Abstract: A method for operating a recuperation brake of a motor vehicle is disclosed. First, a future operating intensity of the recuperation brake is estimated for a section of route to be travelled on by the motor vehicle based on an input which characterizes the driving style of the section of route to be travelled on. In addition, a maximum slip-free vehicle braking power for the section of route is estimated as a function of the input. In addition, the braking power of the recuperation brake is set to a setpoint braking power which is not greater than the maximum vehicle braking power for the section of route, and finally the recuperation brake is activated on the section of route to be travelled on with the setpoint braking power. In addition, a recuperation brake for carrying out the method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Moritz Maiterth, Michael Wegerer
  • Patent number: 9779626
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle, and an apparatus and method for controlling the vehicle. The vehicle includes a line information obtainer configured to obtain information regarding a line; a vehicle controller configured to determine whether the vehicle is moving out of a lane based on the information regarding the line, and to determine a level of danger that indicates an extent of danger to the vehicle while the vehicle is changing the lane, based on at least one of a condition around the vehicle or a behavior of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving out of the lane; and a warning unit configured to provide different levels of alert to a driver based on the level of danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kwang Won Seo
  • Patent number: 9777647
    Abstract: A method for controlling a creep torque of a motor-driven vehicle includes a gradient calculating step of calculating a gradient of a traveling road, and a time constant calculating step of calculating a time constant of a filter using the gradient, a preset basic creep torque, and a sliding speed limiting value. A variable controlling step substitutes the calculated time constant for the time constant of the filter, inputs the basic creep torque to the filter, and controls the motor using a torque value output from the filter as a demanded torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Won Jung, Kang Sik Jeon
  • Patent number: 9776509
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for adaptive cruise control in a road vehicle, as well as a road vehicle including such an apparatus. One of four control regions is determined and a set of control parameters chosen in dependence of the detected control region. An acceleration command is provided, based on the chosen set of control parameters, using a sliding surface and a control law that ensures convergence to the sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Solyom, Oskar Nordin
  • Patent number: 9753121
    Abstract: A radar sensing system includes at least one transmitter, at least one receiver and a processor. The at least one transmitter transmits a power shaped RF signal. The transmitted RF signal decreases in power over time. The at least one receiver receives a reflected RF signal. The reflected RF signal is the transmitted RF signal reflected from targets in the environment. The reflected RF signal is down-converted and the result provided to the processor. The processor samples the down-converted reflected RF signal during a plurality of time intervals to produce a sampled stream. The different time intervals of the plurality of time intervals will contain different signal levels of RF signals reflected from the targets. The processor also selects samples in the sampled stream over a selected time interval of the plurality of time intervals that is free of RF signals reflected off of near targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: UHNDER, INC.
    Inventors: Curtis Davis, Jean P. Bordes, Monier Maher, Wayne Stark, Raghunath K. Rao
  • Patent number: 9738224
    Abstract: A vision system suitable for use for a vehicle includes a plurality of exterior viewing cameras disposed at the vehicle and having respective fields of view exterior of the vehicle. A display system is operable to display images for viewing by the driver of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to determination that the gaze direction of the driver of the vehicle is towards a non-transparent portion of the vehicle, the display system displays an image derived from image data captured by at least one of the plurality of exterior viewing cameras to display a representation of the driver's view as it would be through the non-transparent portion of the vehicle. The gaze direction of the driver may be determined by a monitoring system that processes image data captured by an interior viewing camera having a field of view that encompasses the head of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Achim Gieseke, Michael Biemer
  • Patent number: 9731719
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is mounted to an own vehicle and controls the own vehicle such that an inter-vehicle distance between a preceding vehicle and the own vehicle becomes a reference distance. The vehicle control apparatus acquires passing suitability information indicating whether or not the own vehicle is able to pass the preceding vehicle. When the own vehicle is not able to pass the preceding vehicle, the vehicle control apparatus corrects the inter-vehicle distance by adding a correction distance to a reference distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niino, Shotaro Fukuda, Takahiro Narita, Masao Oooka
  • Patent number: 9733350
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a radar system of a vehicle. One or more transmitters are configured to transmit radar signals. A plurality of receivers are configured to receive return radar signals after the transmitted radar signals are deflected from an object proximate the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the plurality of receivers, and is configured to generate a plurality of feature vectors based on the returned radar signals and generate a three dimensional representation of the object using the plurality of feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Inna Stainvas Olshansky, Igal Bilik
  • Patent number: 9731713
    Abstract: A system for controlling an autonomous vehicle having cameras for obtaining image data of neighboring vehicles in a proximity of the autonomous vehicle and for identifying physical characteristics of the neighboring vehicles, including makes, models, and trims of neighboring vehicles, colors of the neighboring vehicles, and exposed cargo being carried by the neighboring vehicles. The system maps the identified physical characteristics into predicted potential on-road events in the proximity of the autonomous vehicle, and makes driving decisions based on the predicted potential on-road event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Hiroshi Horii
  • Patent number: 9731716
    Abstract: A transporter vehicle includes: a traveling device changing a traveling direction so that one state of a linear movement state and a non-linear movement state changes to the other state thereof; a setting unit setting a determination value related to a change amount in the traveling direction from the linear movement state; a collision prevention system including an object detection device detecting an object in front of the vehicle and a collision determination unit determining a possibility of a collision with the object based on a detection result of the object detection device, the collision prevention system performing a process for reducing damage caused by the collision with the object; and an invalidation unit invalidating at least a part of a process of the collision prevention system based on the determination value and a detection value of the change amount in the traveling direction from the linear movement state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ohsugi, Shinji Mitsuta
  • Patent number: 9725083
    Abstract: The invention provides a speed control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle, the vehicle having an engine (121), an electric machine (123) and a mode switch (169), to allow switching between a first speed control mode (EV) and a second speed control mode (HEV). When the control system is in the first mode and at least one of a prescribed one or more conditions is met, e.g. a rate of acceleration demanded by the driver or a difference between a target vehicle speed and a current vehicle speed exceeds a respective prescribed threshold value, the system is operable to not limit operation of the vehicle to the EV mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Clement Dextreit, Mark Ellis, Matt Hancock
  • Patent number: 9718661
    Abstract: A load handling system for a vehicle includes a set of forks that concurrently supports two or more pallets including a first pallet and a second pallet linearly positioned along a length of the forks, and a lifting system to raise and lower the forks. A traction system moves the vehicle in a direction of travel associated with withdrawing the forks from the pallets. Additionally, an actuation device generates an activation signal in response to being actuated by an operator, and a vehicle controller places the vehicle in an automated mode of operation in response to receiving the activation signal. In the automated mode of operation, a front end of the forks moves from the second pallet to the first pallet, and the first pallet is raised while the second pallet remains on a transport surface. The first pallet is then spaced apart from the second pallet by a predetermined distance and then lowered to the transport surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew K. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9709678
    Abstract: A laser radar device includes: a projector projecting measuring light to a forward direction of a vehicle multiple times during a predetermined detection period; light receiving elements receiving reflected light of the measuring light from detection areas having different directions in a horizontal direction; a measurement section selecting at least one of light reception signals from the light receiving elements and measuring a light reception value by sampling the selected light reception signal; an integrator integrating the light reception values of the light reception signals from the identical light receiving element at an identical sampling clock time; a detector detecting an obstacle in each detection period based on the integrated light reception value; and a sensitivity controller increasing the number of times of integrating the light reception values of at least a part of the light receiving elements, under predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshio Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9710710
    Abstract: A system for localizing an autonomous vehicle to a target area can include a position indicator adapted for association with the vehicle in a three dimensional configuration, a detection device configured to detect the position indicator, a computation device configured to compute a position of the vehicle based on the detected position indicator and the relationship of the configuration to the vehicle orientation, a transmitter configured to receive information from the computation device and produce a signal carrying the information, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter and filter the information therefrom, and a control system configured for association with and control of one or more directional control components of the vehicle, the control being based on the information received from the receiver relating to localizing the vehicle to the target area. A method of for localizing a vehicle to a target area is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Xollai Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Malecki, Lue Her, Ryan S. Thompson, Anthony H. Giang
  • Patent number: 9707966
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining instructions for pulling over an autonomous vehicle are described. An example method may involve identifying a region of a road ahead of the autonomous vehicle based on lane boundaries of the road, one or more road boundaries indicating an edge of the road, and a size of the autonomous vehicle. The method may also involve determining a braking profile for reducing the speed of the autonomous vehicle based on the region and a speed of the autonomous vehicle. The method may also involve determining, based on the braking profile, a trajectory such that the autonomous vehicle will travel within the region while reducing the speed of the autonomous vehicle. The method may further involve determining instructions for pulling over and stopping the autonomous vehicle in the region in accordance with the determined trajectory and storing the instructions in a memory accessible by a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Seth Herbach, Nathaniel Fairfield
  • Patent number: 9703291
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to maneuvering autonomous vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle may use a laser to collect scan data for a section of roadway. The vehicle may access a detailed map including the section of the roadway. A disturbance indicative of an object and including a set of data points data may be identified from the scan data based on the detailed map. The detailed map may also be used to estimate a heading of the disturbance. A bounding box for the disturbance may be estimated using the set of data points as well as the estimated heading. The parameters of the bounding box may then be adjusted in order to increase or maximize the average density of data points of the disturbance along the edges of the bounding box visible to the laser. This adjusted bounding box may then used to maneuver the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dirk Haehnel
  • Patent number: 9694806
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine and a motor-generator as power sources and has an inter-vehicle distance detection unit to detect an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle. A power generation amount is restricted according to the inter-vehicle distance in a power generation travel mode in which power of the engine drives the motor-generator while being transferred to the drive wheels. Output torque of an engine drivetrain is reduced according to the restricted power generation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taichi Kishida
  • Patent number: 9689191
    Abstract: A power tailgate control device and method can prevent a collision with an obstacle during the opening or closing of a tailgate by determining whether an obstacle is present or not and whether the collision with the obstacle would occur or not by using a rear lamp and a rear camera. The power tailgate control device includes: a command input unit receiving a tailgate open or close command from an operator; a rear camera mounted on a tailgate; and a controller controlling the opening or closing of the tailgate by determining whether a collision with an obstacle would occur or not, on the basis of R values of pixels in a difference image between a first image captured in a state in which a rear lamp is turned on and a second image captured in a state in which the rear lamp is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Cheol Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9664120
    Abstract: A controller puts an internal combustion engine in a first induction control state in which a lift amount of an inlet valve is equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount and an opening of a throttle valve is larger than a predetermined opening with respect to a predetermined running state. The controller puts the internal combustion engine in a second induction control state in which the lift amount of the inlet valve is larger than the predetermined amount and the opening of the throttle valve is equal to or smaller than the predetermined opening with respect to the predetermined running state. An automatic stopper automatically stops the internal combustion engine in when the lift amount of the inlet valve is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount, when a stopping condition of the internal combustion engine is met under which a predetermined vehicle state is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 9643789
    Abstract: Control solutions for a mobile conveyor vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a pair of movable belt conveyor systems for conveying bulk material to an elevated location. One of the conveyors may be rotated via turntable while the other is rotated by four-wheel steering motion of the vehicle. The control system may be configured to: receive user input indicative of desired infeed location of the infeed end and a desired output location of the output end; determine a desired control solution for disposing the infeed end at the desired infeed location and disposing the output end at the desired output location; and cooperatively operate the first powered actuator system, the second powered actuator system and the powered drive system according to the desired control solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TY-CROP MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventors: Gary Wayne Teichrob, Thomas Abraham Jansen
  • Patent number: 9645236
    Abstract: A first specifying-means specifies a first-region including a first detection-point, which is of a first-target on an X-Y plane on which a width direction of a vehicle is defined as an X-axis, and a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is defined as a Y-axis. A second specifying-means specifies a second-region including a second detection-point, which is of a second-target on the X-Y plane, based on a direction of the second detection-point and a target-width, which is a width along the X-axis of the second-target. A determination means determines that the first- and second-targets are the same, provided that an overlapping portion exists therebetween. An estimation means estimates a true-value target-width, based on the direction of the second detection-point and the first detection-point, provided that the first- and second-targets are the same. A correction-means corrects a position of the second-region specified next time by using the true-value target-width as the target-width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Baba
  • Patent number: 9637085
    Abstract: A restraint system includes a plurality of sensors deployable in a vehicle, a restraint device, and a computing device. The restraint device includes a tether, a collar, an actuator coupled to a stopper, and an identification tag. The computing device is programmed to engage the stopper to prevent the tether from extending beyond a predetermined length upon at least one of the sensors indicating the identification tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saulo Ratzel Sanchez Huipio, Oscar Rovira Vilchis, Maria Fernanda Pulido Plauchud
  • Patent number: 9637125
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for a host motor vehicle having regenerative braking means (122) and non-regenerative braking means. The system is operable to control a powertrain and the braking means of the host vehicle to maintain the vehicle at a target distance (d_target) behind the followed vehicle, the target distance being substantially equal to a second distance that is greater than a first distance (d_driver); and employ substantially only the regenerative braking means and not the non-regenerative braking means to slow the host vehicle when the host vehicle is greater than the first distance (d_driver) behind the followed vehicle and the ACC system determines that braking is required to maintain the vehicle at the target distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Clement Dextreit, Mark Ellis
  • Patent number: 9638123
    Abstract: A controller for an engine controls a throttle opening degree. The controller includes a target opening degree calculating section that selects either a primary request value for a throttle opening degree that corresponds to a torque request or a secondary request value that corresponds to another request and that calculates a target throttle opening degree from the selected one of the first and secondary request values. If the primary request value has been selected, an abnormality occurrence determining section determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred, in accordance with a magnitude of a deviation of the primary request value from the target throttle opening degree. If the secondary request value has been selected, the abnormality occurrence determining section determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred, in accordance with whether or not the target throttle opening degree is greater than or equal to a predetermined upper limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ukawa, Naoto Kato, Shigehiro Sugihira
  • Patent number: 9632507
    Abstract: A control system is provided for platooning a plurality of vehicles, each of which equipped with vehicle braking control systems and V2V communication system components. The system determines nominal following distances for each of said following vehicles relative to an immediately preceding vehicle, based in part on brake performance capabilities. Vehicle sensors throughout the platoon are implemented to monitor target vehicles positioned relative to the platoon, and some or all of the nominal following distances are dynamically adjusted to account for braking event risks associated with the target vehicles. Adjustment to following distances for trailing vehicles may be proactively applied even before braking reaction is determined or applied for a lead vehicle, and control signals are simultaneously generated implementing vehicle movement adjustments based on the following distance adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MERITOR WABCO VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Alan Korn
  • Patent number: 9632505
    Abstract: An obstacle detector for a mobile robot while the robot is in motion is disclosed. The detector preferably includes at least one light source configured to project pulsed light in the path of the robot; a visual sensor for capturing a plurality of images of light reflected from the path of the robot; a processing unit configured to extract the reflections from the images; and an obstacle detection unit configured to detect an obstacle in the path of the robot based on the extracted reflections. In the preferred embodiment, the reflections of the projected light are extracted by subtracting pairs of images in which each pair includes a first image captured with the at least one light source on and a second image captured with the at least one light source off, and then combining images of two or more extracted reflections to suppress the background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IROBOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Hickerson, Luis Goncalves, Paolo Pirjanian, Nikolai Romanov
  • Patent number: 9623793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a headlight system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The headlight system can be actuated in at least two control modes, each having an associated, predetermined maximum main beam width. First, a current driving situation of the motor vehicle is captured on the basis of at least one operating, parameter of the motor vehicle. A current control mode is ascertained based on which control mode from at least two control modes matches a control mode assigned to the captured driving situation on the basis of the captured current driving situation and at least one-time or temporal parameter. The controller is shifted into the assigned control mode when the current control mode does not match the assigned control mode, wherein a maximum main beam width is set for the current driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank Langkabel, Carsten Neitzke, Justus Illium, Michael Rabe, Ingolf Schneider, Phillipp Roeckl, Rouven Haberkorn
  • Patent number: 9623869
    Abstract: A collision prevention controller mounted on a subject vehicle receives lane line information from a first environment recognizer and three-dimensional object information on a target three-dimensional object from a second environment recognizer, estimates the visual range of the driver based on the lane line information, determines whether the target three-dimensional object is located outside of the visual range of the driver, and determines the possibility of a collision of the target three-dimensional object and the subject vehicle. When the target three-dimensional object is located outside of the visual range of the driver, the collision prevention controller executes at least either one of notification to the driver or application of automatic braking in accordance with the possibility of collision with the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9626869
    Abstract: Provided is a drive assisting apparatus which assists follow-up travelling to a forward vehicle including an inter-vehicle information acquisition unit 10 that acquires a distance between a host vehicle and a forward vehicle, a deceleration unit 12 that performs a deceleration control based on the inter-vehicle distance, and a steering information acquisition unit 14 that detects steering by a driver, and the deceleration unit 12 stops the deceleration control, when the steering is detected. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately understand the will of a driver and perform a deceleration control based on the will of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuma Ariga, Hitoshi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9616978
    Abstract: There is provided a navigation route generation device with which a host moving body can be navigated by offsetting it parallel to a line on the current travel direction of the host moving body by a simple operation, without changing the preset destination or bearing. A plotter that is part of an automatic steering system of a ship comprises a current route acquisition component, a parallel route generator, and a navigation route setting component. The current route acquisition component acquires the travel direction of the host ship. The parallel route generator generates a parallel route, which is a route that is parallel to the travel direction acquired by the current route acquisition component. The navigation route setting component sets the parallel route generated by the parallel route generator to the navigation route of the host ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FURUNO ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 9616891
    Abstract: A guidance system and method is provided which is suitable for guiding a follower vehicle such that it follows a leader. It includes a system for localizing the leader relative to the follower vehicle. At least two distance measuring devices designed to be carried by the follower vehicle are provided, each being suitable for measuring a distance from a reference point of the follower vehicle, associated with the distance measuring device, to the leader. The reference points are spaced apart from one another, and a computer is provided which is, programmed to deduce the position of the leader relative to the follower vehicle from the distances measured by the measuring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: France Brevets
    Inventor: Philippe Gosset
  • Patent number: 9618920
    Abstract: This document discusses among other things, methods and apparatus to conserve energy when providing proximity information. An example apparatus can include an energy emitter configured to emit a first pulse of energy, an energy sensor configured to receive reflected energy from the first pulse of energy, a control circuit including a processor, the processor configured to provide first proximity information of the apparatus with respect to an object using the reflected energy. The control circuit can be configured to control the energy emitter, to compare the first proximity information with second proximity information, and to modulate a delay between the first pulse of energy and a subsequent pulse of energy using the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Card
  • Patent number: 9610912
    Abstract: An arrangement for a motor vehicle having a trim component, in particular a bumper, and a radar sensor is disclosed. In order to detect target objects, the radar sensor is designed to emit electromagnetic waves through the trim component and to receive radiation echoes from the target objects. The radar sensor has an azimuthal detection angle, by which a field of vision of the radar sensor in the azimuthal direction is defined, and is arranged at a distance from a rear side of the trim component, with the result that the azimuthal field of vision of the radar sensor intersects the trim component in an intersection region. In order to absorb interference waves outside the azimuthal detection angle an absorptive material is applied outside the intersection region in the azimuthal direction to the rear side of the trim component, where the intersection region is free of absorptive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Schaaf
  • Patent number: 9610949
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with computerized assist or autonomous driving (CA/AD) of vehicles are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include a CA/AD system to: receive an identifier identifying a driver/passenger of a vehicle; request or retrieve, using the identifier, individual driving preferences of the driver/passenger; and apply the individual driving preferences of the driver/passenger to policies for CA/AD of the vehicle, to customize the policies for CA/AD of the vehicle for the driver/passenger. The CA/AD system may further receive data for policy parameters of the customized policies; and CA/AD the vehicle, in a manner that is adapted for the individual, in accordance with the customized policies, based at least in part on the data for the policy parameters of the customized policies. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Healey, Alexandra C. Zafiroglu
  • Patent number: 9606545
    Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus includes a main body and an anti-drop system. The main body includes an aperture located at a bottom portion thereof and communicative with an interior thereof. The anti-drop system located inside the main body respective to the aperture includes an infrared detection module and an angle-limiting unit electrically coupled with the infrared detection module. The infrared detection module detects a distance between the bottom portion and a first detection surface. The infrared detection module includes an infrared emitting unit and an infrared receiving unit. The infrared emitting unit emits an infrared signal to the first detection surface. The infrared signal produces a first boundary signal and a second boundary signal after the infrared signal passes through the angle-limiting unit. The infrared receiving unit receives a reflected signal of the first boundary signal with respect to the first detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LUMIPLUS TECHNOLOGY (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shun-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 9607519
    Abstract: A driving control system has a position/speed information detecting section for detecting the position and speed of a host vehicle, a communication unit for acquiring the position and speed information of another vehicle, a proximity position estimating section that estimates a proximity position at which the host vehicle and the other vehicle approach each other and a proximity position changing unit that, when the host vehicle and the other vehicle are travelling on the same lane at the same time, changes the proximity position to a changed proximity position outside of a waiting time generation area. A travelling plan generation section generates a travelling plan while the other one of the host-vehicle and the other vehicle enters the waiting time generation area. A communication unit transmits the travelling plan to the other vehicle, and a travel driving unit executes the driving of the host vehicle according to the travelling plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9604607
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9604639
    Abstract: A pedestrian-intent-detection system for automated operation of a host-vehicle (e.g. automated vehicle) includes an object-detection device and a controller. The object-detection device is operable to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detection device. The controller is configured to determine when the object detected by the object-detection device is a pedestrian based on a detection-characteristic of the pedestrian indicated by the object-detection device. The controller is further configured to define a size of a caution-area located proximate to the pedestrian based on a behavior-characteristic (e.g. intent) of the pedestrian indicated by the object-detection device. The controller is further configured to operate (e.g. brake, steer) the host-vehicle in order to avoid the caution-area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Laur, Serge Lambermont
  • Patent number: 9593964
    Abstract: A method of sensor wire count reduction including receiving, from a sensor array comprising a first sensor, a second sensor, the third sensor, a first binary indication of sensor state for the first sensor a second binary indication of sensor state for the second sensor, and a third binary indication of sensor state for the third sensor. The method further includes setting a first voltage in response to the first binary indication of sensor state for the first sensor and the second binary indication of sensor state for the second sensor, determining a first indication comprising whether the fist voltage is within a first range, determining a second indication comprising whether the first voltage is within a second range, and determining a third indication comprising whether the first voltage is within a third range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Harald Klode, Albert Keith Pant
  • Patent number: 9588518
    Abstract: A control device capable of providing smooth movement even in a crowded environment is to be provided. The control device includes a movement processing section (101) that creates a movement plan that is information relating to movement of an autonomous mobile apparatus (1); a movement control section (21) that moves the autonomous mobile apparatus (1) according to the movement plan created by the movement processing section (101); a congestion degree estimating section (102) that calculates the degree of congestion in a movement direction of the autonomous mobile apparatus (1); a visual field estimating section (103) that estimates a visual field of a moving obstacle when the degree of congestion on an immediately front side of the autonomous mobile apparatus (1) is a predetermined value or higher; and an attention calling control section (104) that calls attention using an attention calling device (15) to enter the estimated visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Nakamura, Azusa Amino, Taishi Ueda
  • Patent number: 9589470
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a vehicle running in a blind spot detects, with a predetermined accuracy, a first target position of a target which is present in a first detection area that extends obliquely rearward of the vehicle, detects, with an accuracy lower than the predetermined accuracy, a second target position related to a target which is present in a second detection area adjacent to the first detection area; calculates a first estimated position that corresponds to a subsequent position of the target that has been detected by the detection section as the first target position; and adopts the first estimated position as a position of the target when the first estimated position is included in a predetermined range centering on the second target position, adopts the second target position as a position of the target when the first estimated position is outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuru Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9589353
    Abstract: A method for detecting objects in a warehouse and/or for spatial orientation in a warehouse includes: acquiring image data with a 3-D camera which is fastened to an industrial truck so that a viewing direction of the 3-D camera has a defined horizontal angle, wherein the 3-D camera has an image sensor with sensor elements arranged matrix-like and the image data comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein distance information is assigned to each pixel, calculating angle information for a plurality of image elements, which each specify an angle between a surface represented by the image element and a vertical reference plane, determining a predominant direction based on the frequency of the calculated angle information, calculating the positions of the of the acquired pixels along the predominant direction, detecting at least one main plane of the warehouse based on a frequency distribution of the calculated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Philipp Halata
  • Patent number: 9588222
    Abstract: A preceding vehicle selection apparatus estimates a curvature of a road on which an own vehicle is traveling, detects an object ahead of the own vehicle, and determines a relative position in relation to the own vehicle. Based on the curvature and the relative position, an own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value is determined. This instantaneous value is a probability of the object ahead being present in the same vehicle lane as the own vehicle. By a filter calculation on the instantaneous value, an own vehicle lane probability is determined. Based on the own vehicle lane probability, a preceding vehicle is selected. An inter-vehicle time required for the own vehicle to reach a detection position of the object ahead is calculated. Based on the inter-vehicle time, characteristics of the filter calculation are changed such that an effect of the own vehicle lane instantaneous value increases as the inter-vehicle time decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
  • Patent number: 9580072
    Abstract: A preceding vehicle selection apparatus estimates a curvature of a traveling road on which an own vehicle is traveling, detects an object ahead of the own vehicle, and determines a relative position in relation to the own vehicle, for each object ahead. Based on the estimated curvature and the determined relative position, an own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value for each object ahead is repeatedly determined. An own vehicle lane probability is determined by performing a filter calculation on the calculated own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value. Based on the determined own vehicle lane probability, a preceding vehicle is selected. Characteristics of the filter calculation are set such that an object ahead associated with a preceding vehicle selected in a previous processing cycle is relatively less affected by the own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value than an object ahead associated with an object other than the preceding vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
  • Patent number: 9575181
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical measuring apparatus (1) for a vehicle (6), having at least one optical transmitter, at least one optical receiver (12) and a deflection mirror arrangement having at least one deflection mirror (11), wherein the edge contour (27, 28) of a deflection mirror (11) of a reception unit of the measuring apparatus (1) matches the contour (41) formed by marginal rays (40) in a received beam (38). The invention also relates to a vehicle having such an apparatus (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Bayha, Peter Horvath, Jens Nicolai
  • Patent number: 9569968
    Abstract: A method for the automated braking and/or steering of a vehicle uses at least one sensor system for detecting the vehicle's surroundings, a potential collision object in the vehicle's surroundings, and a relative speed of the vehicle relative to the potential collision object. The activation and/or the sequence of an automated steering intervention and/or an automated braking intervention is determined based on the relative speed. The braking intervention is activated at first when the relative speed is below or equal to a predefined threshold, and the steering intervention is activated at first when the relative speed is above the predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Matthias Strauss, Juergen Pfeiffer, Stefan Lueke
  • Patent number: 9566959
    Abstract: To determine whether an emergency braking situation exists for a vehicle, the vehicle determines at least the following state variables: its own velocity, its own longitudinal acceleration, its relative distance from an object in front, and the speed and acceleration of the object in front. A suitable evaluation method to assess whether an emergency braking situation is present is determined as a function of these state variables from a plurality of evaluation method options, including at least a movement equation evaluation method in which a movement equation system of the vehicle and of the object in front is determined, and an evaluation method in which a braking distance of the vehicle is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Karsten Breuer, Dirk Sandkuhler