Relative Distence Between Vehicles (e.g., Collision Alert) Patents (Class 340/903)
  • Patent number: 9546871
    Abstract: We have disclosed systems and methods for portable performance monitoring of an individual during a physical activity. The systems and methods may include a portable sensor component configured to be carried by the individual during the physical activity and configured to obtain movement data for the athlete individual during the physical activity. The systems and methods may also include a portable output component configured to be carried by the individual during the physical activity and configured to provide an output to the individual during the physical activity. The systems and methods may further include a portable processing component in communication with the portable sensor component and the portable output component, where the portable processing component is configured to be carried by the individual during the physical activity. The portable processing component may be configured to identify movement of the individual during the physical activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Michael Ellis, Caron Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9542846
    Abstract: A vehicle lateral control system includes a lane marker module configured to determine a heading and displacement of a vehicle in response to images received from a secondary sensing device, a lane information fusion module configured to generate vehicle and lane information in response to data received from heterogeneous vehicle sensors and a lane controller configured to generate a collision free vehicle path in response to the vehicle and lane information from the lane information fusion module and an object map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shuqing Zeng, Jeremy A. Salinger, William J. Chundrlik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9530313
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for a negative image or false positive profile for sign locations. Image data or another type of optical data is collected along a path by a collection device such as a camera. The data is analyzed to identify one or more false positive locations along the path at which signs for other paths may be detected. The false positive locations may be described in the negative image or false positive profile. Additional or subsequent optical data may be analyzed based on the negative image or false positive profile may be analyzed to identify at least one confirmed sign position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Aaron J. Dannenbring
  • Patent number: 9513137
    Abstract: An area map provision system includes a terminal device and a server device communicating with each other. The server device includes an information collection unit collecting travel information related to travel of each vehicle, and a concentration degree determination unit determining a concentration degree of people at each point on a map based on the travel information. The terminal device or the server device includes a hotspot determination unit determining hotspots, each of which has the concentration degree equal to or higher than a threshold value, a recommendation facility search unit searching for recommendation facilities determined based on preferences of a target user, and an area map generation unit, when at least one of search regions defined with respective hotspots as reference points includes at least two recommendation facilities, generating an area map by including text or image to distinguishably represent the at least two recommendation facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Hisano
  • Patent number: 9487215
    Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy S. Paek, Paramvir Bahl
  • Patent number: 9481369
    Abstract: In a cruise control system installed in a vehicle, a monitoring unit monitors a region predetermined in front of the vehicle when the vehicle is located on a lane of a road. An instruction input unit is configured to allow a driver of the vehicle to input an instruction indicative of driver's recognized information in front of the vehicle. A target determining unit executes determination of a target for adjusting an interval with respect thereto based on a result of the monitor and on the instruction when the instruction is input from the instruction input unit thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Isogai, Masao Oooka
  • Patent number: 9466219
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing multi-mission tracking and re-tasking for a plurality of unmanned vehicles from a central location to provide mission deconfliction and mission modification in an operating environment, including an evolving and moving operating environment, to effectively employ the plurality of locally-operated unmanned vehicles. A mission controller, operating from a centralized location, takes a provided graphical situational awareness a step further in creating, modifying, or deleting/suspending missions for one or multiple unmanned vehicles to carry out, and then to transmit the proposed mission changes to the deployed unmanned vehicle operators for validation, acceptance, and execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf R. Stefani, James Gary Cooper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9463740
    Abstract: An information presentation device includes: an obtainment unit which obtains position information indicating a position of a nearby object with respect to a user; a stimulation presentation unit which contacts the user through a contact surface and provides stimulation in a stimulation region within the contact surface; and a stimulation control unit which (i) determines a reference position, which is a position within the contact surface, corresponding to the position information and (ii) performs control for causing the stimulation presentation unit to provide the user with stimulation while changing the stimulation region with reference to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohide Ishigami, Toshiya Arai
  • Patent number: 9454906
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle for monitoring cross-traffic includes a transmitting device for transmitting electromagnetic signals and operable for monitoring a kidney-shaped area in both a first monitoring direction and in a second monitoring direction and a receiving device for receiving electromagnetic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Mühlenberg, Thomas Wixforth
  • Patent number: 9451163
    Abstract: The system and methods for motion sensor assisted rate control for video encoding are provided. An apparatus for encoding video content comprises a sensor and an encoder. The sensor is configured to provide motion information relating to the apparatus. The encoder is configured to encode the video content based at least in part on a quantization parameter. The encoder is further configured to increase the value of the quantization parameter in response to the provided motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gang Qiu, Wentao Xu, Liang Shen
  • Patent number: 9421980
    Abstract: A vehicle-installed apparatus detects relative positions of other vehicles which are running ahead of the host vehicle of the apparatus, and, for each of these other vehicles, derives a value of probability that the vehicle is located in the same travel path as the host vehicle. A signal indicative of the yaw rate of the host vehicle is utilized in deriving the probabilities, and is filtered to exclude a range of high-frequency signal components, with the excluded range being widened when it is judged that the yaw rate is varying excessively rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9415774
    Abstract: A vehicle control device basically includes a first risk computation unit, a second risk computing unit and a first risk adjustment unit. The first risk computation unit calculates a first risk with respect to a nearby obstacle located in a nearby detection region near a host vehicle. The second risk computing unit calculates a second risk with respect to a remote obstacle located further from the nearby detection region. The first risk adjustment unit adjusts at least one of the first and the second risks to preferentially execute a warning or vehicle control based on one of the first risk or the second risk versus a warning or vehicle control based on the other of the first risk or the second risk based on an entry state of the host vehicle of entering a planned parking place, or an exit state of the host vehicle of exiting from a parking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sugano, Masahiro Kobayashi, Toshimichi Gokan
  • Patent number: 9403555
    Abstract: A selection track setting section in a driving route generation device determines as a selected track a track of a preceding vehicle when a detection section and a track generation section detects a track of the preceding vehicle which is running on the same driving lane of a host vehicle. A candidate track selection section outputs as a candidate track one of tracks of front vehicles, detected by the detection section and the track generation section, other than the track of the preceding vehicle. A switching selection section switches as the selected track from the track of the preceding vehicle to the candidate track when a detection of the track of the preceding vehicle is interrupted during a predetermined detection period. An estimate route generation section generates an estimated driving route of the host vehicle on the bass of the selected track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Ueda, Tomohiko Tsuruta, Takeshi Hatoh, Takayuki Kondoh, Naoya Inoue
  • Patent number: 9383961
    Abstract: There can be provided a display duplication apparatus for a vehicle. The apparatus can comprise an input connected to receive a display signal from a portable device and a first display configured to display an invitation for input to define a selected interface region from a display output of the portable device. The first display is further configured to display an invitation for to input define a target display location of the vehicle and the apparatus can further comprise a plurality of displays configured to display a selected interface region at a defined target display location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kurt Dusterhoff
  • Patent number: 9360332
    Abstract: In a method for determining a course of a traffic lane for a vehicle (10), structures that demarcate a trafficable space are detected in image data from an image acquisition unit (2), and these structures are plotted on a surroundings map (20) that subdivides the surroundings of the vehicle into a two-dimensional grid (20a) of cells (21). The position of the vehicle in the grid of the surroundings map is determined and updated by odometric data. The distance and the direction of the vehicle (10) relative to those cells (21b) of the grid (20a) having structures that demarcate the pavement and/or the traffic lane are determined. Brightness transitions in the image data are detected and are plotted on the cells (21) of the grid (20a). The course of the traffic lane (22) is determined from the cells with the detected brightness transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Matthias Strauss, Matthias Komar, Dirk Waldbauer, Wolfgang Guenther, Stefan Lueke
  • Patent number: 9340220
    Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Steven Ray Murphy, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, Nels Jorgensen, Anuka Sawh
  • Patent number: 9330567
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, sensor data, accumulated from one or more sensors of one or more vehicles, is compared to rules or standards. Based on the comparison, a system may generate and provide etiquette suggestions to the one or more vehicles to ensure those vehicles do not create a disruption in the flow of traffic. The one or more vehicles can receive the suggestions and provide the suggestions to a user. The user or the vehicle may decide to act on the suggestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: AutoConnect Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9317757
    Abstract: A state of a rear vehicle light is detected. A camera system integrated in a vehicle generates an image of an environment in front of the vehicle. An evaluation unit connected to the camera system detects at least one vehicle contained in the image, defines an image range associated with said vehicle, and divides the image range into sub-ranges comprising at least a left sub-range and a right sub range. A segmentation of the sub-ranges into image segments is performed by way of the evaluation unit on the basis of brightness values of points contained in said sub-ranges. At least one brightest image segment is extracted from each of said sub-ranges, and the extracted image segments are checked for whether they can be associated with a particular vehicle light in an ON state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Jan Winter, Dirk Feiden
  • Patent number: 9299254
    Abstract: A method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle with the aid of a visual and/or audible warning signal (5), detection of an object taking place with the aid of a sensor which detects an angular field which opens opposite the driving direction of the motor vehicle and which is assigned to one side of the motor vehicle, and determination of at least one parameter related to the driving direction taking place with the aid of a control unit, an ascertainment being made as to whether a traffic situation exists which requires an immediate warning signal (5) with the aid of a decision-making algorithm which processes the at least one parameter related to the driving direction as an input, an immediate warning signal (5) being triggered if a situation requiring an immediate warning signal (5) exists, and ascertaining a delay period which is adjusted to the traffic situation, and triggering the warning signal (5) having the ascertained delay period if no traffic situation exists which requires an immediate warning si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Marcus Schneider, Andrea De Sciscio
  • Patent number: 9300423
    Abstract: A device and vehicle for use in, and system for, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and safety system that uses TDMA communication architecture with a self-synchronized TDMA time base. The time base starts with a GPS and internal clock, then fine-tunes by averaging the time bases of all vehicles within radio range. In the described algorithms, all vehicles within a communication range rapidly converge on a common time base to high precision. The regularly broadcast safety messages themselves are used for time base synchronizing, eliminating the need for separate time stamps or transmissions. A range group of vehicles, first converges itself, then converges the group on a UTC time via GPS. Embodiments include use of vehicle distances in time computations. Applications anti-collision systems, optimized traffic flow and signal timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC—ForC Series
    Inventors: Kim T Rubin, Jonathon Betts-Lacroix
  • Patent number: 9266533
    Abstract: A vehicle adaptive cruise control system and method are provided. The adaptive cruise control system, comprising an adaptive cruise mode selection unit configured to select adaptive cruise modes to control speeds and relative distances for a host vehicle in different modes; a data acquisition unit configured to acquire a vehicle state variable x(t); a control unit configured to generate a vehicle control signal u(t) based on the vehicle state variable x(t); a critic unit configured to evaluate a control performance according to the vehicle state variable x(t) and the vehicle control signal u(t), if a result of evaluation indicates that the control performance does not comply with a requirement, then the control unit and the critic unit perform an online leaning; a gas pedal unit and a brake unit configured to be controlled respectively by using the vehicle control signal u(t) output from the is control unit and data provided from a the vehicle inverse dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventor: Dongbin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9253753
    Abstract: A transceiver in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and safety system that regularly broadcasts safety messages, comprising location, heading and speed, of a subject vehicle, that are free of MAC and IP addresses. The V2V system uses the location of the subject vehicle for vehicle identification, in place of a pre-assigned vehicle ID. Some embodiments broadcast safety message in self-assigned time slots in a synchronized TDMA broadcast architecture, with unusually short inter-message gaps and unusually short messages. The TDMA frame is partitioned into three prioritized time interval classes with differing priorities and dynamically changing sizes based on demand of higher-priority messages. Time slot selection uses weighted algorithms. Selected time slots are held until either a message collision or a timeout occurs. A transceiver equipped vehicle may proxy a different subject vehicle. Embodiments include optimized traffic flow and signal timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC-ForC Series
    Inventors: Kim T Rubin, Jonathon Betts-Lacroix
  • Patent number: 9250315
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assisting collision avoidance between a vehicle and an object include receiving an acoustic signal from the object using microphones supported by the vehicle, and determining a location of the object using the acoustic signal and an acoustic model of the environment, the environment including a structure that blocks a direct view of the object from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Serdar H. Yonak
  • Patent number: 9251708
    Abstract: A method for providing a forward collision warning using a camera mountable in a motor vehicle. The method acquires multiple image frames at known time intervals. A patch may be selected in at least one of the image frames. Optical flow may be tracked between the image frames of multiple image points of the patch. Based on the fit of the image points to a model, a time-to collision (TTC) may be determined if a collision is expected. The image points may be fit to a road surface model and a portion of the image points is modeled to be imaged from a road surface. A collision is not expected based on the fir of the image points to the road surface model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Dan Rosenbaum, Amiad Gurman, Gideon Stein
  • Patent number: 9242603
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method for an around view stop mode. A control method for an around view stop mode in an around view monitoring system, including a plurality of cameras provided on an exterior of a vehicle to photograph a situation outside the vehicle, a monitor provided inside the vehicle to output images photographed by the cameras, a door opening sensor provided on one side of a vehicle door to check whether the door is opened or closed, and an around view mode operating switch operating an around view mode while stopping, includes stopping the vehicle; changing a gear to a P state or a parking brake to a brake-on state; and outputting the images from the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Woo Kwon
  • Patent number: 9233642
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for warning of vehicle collision. The positioning and state-reporting signal of a present vehicle is sensed and that of a target vehicle received. The signals are respectively converted to velocities. The relative velocity of the vehicles and the relative position of the vehicles after a time interval are obtained. The driver of the present vehicle is warned when the normal distance from the present vehicle to the line indicating the direction of the relative velocity is determined to be at a minimum and not greater than a warning distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Lin, Syuan-Yi Chen, Shih-Yang Lin, Chung-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9233659
    Abstract: A method is provided for preventing a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. The method uses a camera and a processor mountable in the motor vehicle. A candidate image is detected. Based on a change of scale of the candidate image, it may be determined that the motor vehicle and the pedestrian are expected to collide, thereby producing a potential collision warning. Further information from the image frames may be used to validate the potential collision warning. The validation may include an analysis of the optical flow of the candidate image, that lane markings prediction of a straight road, a calculation of the lateral motion of the pedestrian, if the pedestrian is crossing a lane mark or curb and/or if the vehicle is changing lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Dan Rosenbaum, Amiad Gurman, Yonatan Samet, Gideon P. Stein, David Aloni
  • Patent number: 9230435
    Abstract: Traffic at an intersection, or other portion of a road, is detected, and the stop/go traffic signal apparatus at the intersection, or other portion is controlled based on vehicle types in the detected traffic. A vehicle type may be determined based on information collected by that vehicle's onboard telematics unit, or with a user's device in communication therewith. An input may be received from a user device, onboard the vehicle, to request changing the current stop/go configuration of the traffic signal. The request may be processed based on the determined vehicle type to determine whether or not to change the traffic signal in response to the request. The request may be accompanied by an offer of money, and if the request is not granted, the user device may forward another request associated with a different offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HTI IP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9223311
    Abstract: A vehicle driving support control apparatus receives lane line information given from a first environment recognizer and information on a target three-dimensional object given from a second environment recognizer. The apparatus estimates the visual range of a driver based on the lane line information, and estimates the driving lane based on at least either one of the lane line information and the target three-dimensional object information, and estimates the driving track of the vehicle. Based on the estimated driving lane and driving track, the apparatus estimates a deviation position where the subject vehicle will deviate from the driving lane on the basis of the driving lane and the driving track estimated. If the deviation position is beyond the visual range, the apparatus executes at least either one of notification to the driver and automatic braking in accordance with the possibility of deviation from the driving lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9225287
    Abstract: An oscillator has an oscillation portion that generates oscillatory electric signals due to a magnetization motion; and a first electric circuit that is connected in parallel to the oscillation portion. A current whose magnitude oscillates flows to the first electric circuit, and the first electric circuit is arranged such that a magnetic field generated by the current is applied to the oscillation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9221384
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a display device of a motor vehicle for displaying an environmental information relating to an environment of the motor vehicle, the environmental information is assigned at least one directional information which describes a detection direction of a detection device used for determining the environmental information or a direction to an object described by the environmental information based on a reference point, in particular a sitting position of the driver inside the motor vehicle, wherein the display device for displaying the environmental information which covers at least one angular range which lies in a horizontal plane is activated in a sub-range of the angular range which is assigned to the directional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Björn Giesler, Patrick Heinemann, Michael Schadeck, Stefan Stümper
  • Patent number: 9216687
    Abstract: A vehicle turn signal system causes a turn signal to turn off when a turn is completed or nearly completed based on the orientation of the vehicle changing to turn to a certain degree in a direction indicated by the turn signal. Current heading, position, location and/or or other such information is electronically received from a compass or other device by a turn signal switch controller. When the vehicle has changed direction from the direction the vehicle was traveling at the time associated with when the turn signal was turned on, a signal is sent to turn off the turn signal and reset the manual turn signal button or lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Jui Sheng Huang, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 9201504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicular glance lighting apparatus which provides a driver with vehicle-running information as light of a background screen and includes a driver attention function through prompt information delivery such that the driver visually recognizes as a background screen the vehicle-running information needed essentially or minimally for running the vehicle without requiring the driver's attention to avoid dissipation of the driver's sight, thereby preventing the driver's driving attention from being diverted, and a method for controlling the same. The vehicle-running information related with the running of a vehicle to be outputted in the form of light as a background screen, so that a driver can perceive the vehicle-running information without diverting or obstructing the driver's driving attention, thereby enhancing the driver's ability to cope with a vehicle travel risk during the traveling of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: DAESUNG ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Ho Gohng, Dae Woo Kwon, Moon Soo Park, Chang Kyu Han
  • Patent number: 9201660
    Abstract: A method and a mobile terminal for controlling display of waiting information during program startup are disclosed, relating to the field of computers. In the invention, a step of initializing a liquid crystal display (LCD) by a kernel is eliminated, and an LCD controller is reinitialized after the waiting information data in a bootloader display memory is copied to the display memory of the kernel, therefore, the LCD can directly read the waiting information data in the display memory of the kernel according to a display memory first address in the LCD controller. The waiting information data in the bootloader display memory is copied to the display memory of the kernel in advance, therefore, the displayed content is not changed completely for users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Hisense Mobile Communications Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian Zuo
  • Patent number: 9193367
    Abstract: A system includes a base station associated with a railroad crossing having a unique identifier and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification. The system further includes a receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification from the base station and to provide at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: THE ISLAND RADAR COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas N. Hilleary
  • Patent number: 9197866
    Abstract: A traffic monitoring device may comprise a radar and a camera, the radar having a radar field of view extending around a radar central axis and the camera having a camera field of view extending around a camera central axis that are both situated in such a manner that the radar field of view is situated within the camera field of view. The radar and the camera may be positioned so that their a central axis of each field of view makes a predetermined angle with respect to the other, the radar being provided for determining coordinates of moving objects within the radar field of view. The device may comprise selecting means a processing unit to provided for selecting within the image an image section or portion, and a data processing unit to for transforming the coordinates of the moving object within the image portion into further coordinates relative to an image reference frame and for to displaying within the image portion an identifier at the further coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pieter Messely, Wouter Favoreel
  • Patent number: 9187095
    Abstract: A method for entering a preceding vehicle autonomous following mode includes the steps of registering and identifying at least one preceding vehicle in front of a host vehicle by at least a first and a second sensor device, comparing the preceding vehicle with vehicle data in a remote database system, and upon a match establishing a communication channel between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, identifying to an operator of the host vehicle preceding vehicles with which the communication channel has been established, and obtaining from the operator a selection of a target vehicles to engage following of. Finally, autonomous following mode of the target vehicle is engaged, wherein a vehicle control system automatically controls at least the following three main functions of the host vehicle: forward propulsion, steering, and braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Philip Gerdt
  • Patent number: 9180890
    Abstract: A cruise control system of a vehicle comprises a target generator, a speed controller, and a distance controller. The speed controller and the distance controller are each coupled to the target generator. The target generator is configured for generating a dynamic speed target and a dynamic distance target through real-time assessment of information characterizing current operating condition characterizing information. The speed controller is configured for utilizing the dynamic speed target for issuing commands to cause the vehicle to be operated at a road speed that is adaptive to the current operating condition characterizing information. The distance controller is configured for utilizing the dynamic distance target for issuing commands to cause the vehicle to be operated such that a distance between the vehicle and a leading vehicle is adaptive to the current operating condition characterizing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Dimitar Petrov Filev
  • Patent number: 9135808
    Abstract: Systems, devices and/or methods include communication of information, such as real-time rich media (e.g., video and audio) to, from and/or between a mobile first responder, such as remote public safety field personnel for public safety applications. Sensor data may be captured, stored, or transmitted and disseminated in real-time or on a schedule from field officers or their vehicles, based on one or more defined rules. In some examples, communication priority may be determined in response to detecting one or more events at a location of a mobile first responder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Douglas Johnson, James Vincent Petrizzi
  • Patent number: 9126525
    Abstract: An alert system for a vehicle includes a video display, an interior visual alert device disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly, a driver side visual alert device disposed at a driver side exterior rearview mirror assembly and a passenger side visual alert device disposed at a passenger side exterior rearview mirror assembly. A control is operable to activate at least one of the alert devices in response to a detection of an object rearward of the vehicle. The alert devices are viewable by the driver of the vehicle when activated and are operable to guide or prompt the driver to check the images captured by a rearward facing camera and displayed in the vehicle cabin by the video display so that the driver can verify the nature and type of a potential hazard rearward of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 9131123
    Abstract: Provided is a method for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle, with which vehicle driving safely can be improved. The disclosed method for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle involves: a step (S1100: YES; S1400) of activating a notification section that gives off an alarm to the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle starts to move; and a step (S1400) of displaying, on a screen inside the vehicle, a display item that accepts an operation for cancelling the alarm, as well as a image which is based on captured video-image data of the surroundings of the vehicle, when the vehicle starts to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9123186
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle control system to control user access to vehicle tasks, functions and/or operations based on rights and privileges set forth in user accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9108583
    Abstract: A vehicle safety control system that executes a safety stop control for safely stopping a vehicle after a vehicle collision is detected is provided. The vehicle safety control system includes a first collision detector, a first collision determination part, a behavior detector, a behavior determination part, a traveling state determination part, a safety controller. The first collision detector detects the vehicle collision. The first collision determination part determines whether a first collision has occurred based on a detection result of the first collision detector. The behavior detector detects a vehicle behavior. The behavior determination part determines whether the vehicle behavior is abnormal based on a detection value of the behavior detector. The traveling state determination part determines whether a dangerous traveling is performed. The safety controller executes the safety stop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Wanami
  • Patent number: 9103903
    Abstract: An approaching vehicle detecting system that detects an approaching vehicle on the basis of sounds collected by a plurality of sound collectors mounted on a host vehicle determines whether a transverse moving direction of a sound source detected by the plurality of sound collectors is a direction approaching the host vehicle, determines whether a vertical position of the sound source detected using the plurality of sound collectors is in the same plane as that of the host vehicle, and detects that sound source as the approaching vehicle when it is determined that the transverse moving direction of the sound source is the direction approaching the host vehicle and the vertical position of the sound source is in the same plane as that of the host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MEIJO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ryuji Funayama, Jun Sato, Hisashi Satonaka, Keiichi Yamada, Hideki Banno, Osami Yamamoto, Kensaku Asahi, Akira Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9091762
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for avoiding a collision between an obstacle and a vehicle, such as an aircraft, on a ground surface. A processor receives a detection signal from one of a plurality of proximity sensors. The detection signal indicates that the obstacle has been detected. In response to receiving the detection signal, a video image signal is transmitted from the processor to a display in the cockpit of the aircraft. The video image signal corresponds to a particular video imager that is associated with the particular proximity sensor that detected the obstacle. A video image, of a particular region around the aircraft that includes the obstacle is displayed on a display. In response to receiving the detection signal, the processor can also transmit an alert signal, and a brake activation signal to activate a braking system to prevent the aircraft from colliding with the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Knight
  • Patent number: 9082020
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for calculating the actual height of an object and displaying the calculated height on an image, including: an object detection unit that detects an object in an image of the vehicle's surroundings acquired by a camera disposed on a vehicle; an object position measurement unit that measures a position of the object in the image and measures an object distance and an object length of the object in the image based on a distance value acquired by a distance measuring sensor disposed on the vehicle; an object height calculation unit that calculates an object height using the object distance and the object length of the object displayed in the image; and a display controller controlling display of the calculated the height of the object on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Seob Choi, Dae Joong Yoon, Eu Gene Chang
  • Patent number: 9076340
    Abstract: A vehicle detecting system, a vehicle detecting method adapted for a vehicle, and a computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program are disclosed. The system controls two cameras to capture images in the front of the vehicle and at the back of the vehicle respectively, according to a speed and a direction of the vehicle. The system further determines whether or not two images from each camera are the same, if the two images from each camera are different, the vehicle is in a dangerous driving condition, and when times of the dangerous driving condition within a preset time period reaches a preset value, the system outputs a warning to prompt a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Wong, Xin Lu, Fei Wang, Huan-Huan Zhang, Dan Cao
  • Patent number: 9064158
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle surroundings monitoring device including: a candidate animal area setting unit configured to set a candidate animal area including a candidate animal image portion and a surrounding area of the candidate animal image portion; an edge extraction unit configured to extract a horizontal edge from the candidate animal area; and an animal determination unit configured to determine whether or not a real space object corresponding to the candidate animal image portion is an animal based on a criterion that first and second horizontal edges in the candidate animal area have a strength greater than or equal to a first predetermined strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Makoto Aimura
  • Patent number: 9050930
    Abstract: A vehicle collision avoidance signaling method and system are disclosed. The collision signal captures the attention of a distracted driver for the driver to brake appropriately. The vehicle collision warning signal and lighting system automatically alerts an approaching driver of a stopped or slowed vehicle via a strobe or flashing lighting system. An onboard driver is also alerted to the approaching vehicle. Rear vehicle sensors can sense vehicles approaching from the rear and determine the distance, velocity, and the deceleration of the approaching vehicle. A processor processes the signal and integrates with the onboard vehicle's speedometer signal and braking system. If the approaching car's rate of closure is determined to be extreme compared to the vehicle's location, a bright strobe signal along with the brake signal would be automatically given The intensity of the strobe warning can be determined by the rate and distance at which a vehicle is approaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Walsh, James Dunst
  • Publication number: 20150145694
    Abstract: A vehicle contact warning system includes a detector system, a controller and a warning indicator. The detector system detects a distance between a remote vehicle and a host vehicle and whether a signal indicator on the remote vehicle is activated. The controller determines whether at least one of a signal indicator on the host vehicle is activated by a driver of the host vehicle and a speed at which the distance between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle is decreasing is greater than a predetermined speed. The warning indicator notifies the driver of the host vehicle upon the detector system detecting the signal indicator on the remote vehicle and the controller determining that at least one of the signal indicator of the host vehicle is activated and the speed at which the distance between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle is decreasing is greater than the predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Florian DUPONT