Traffic Monitoring Patents (Class 348/149)
  • Patent number: 10895464
    Abstract: A navigation device that includes: a memory; and a processor that is configured to: acquire route information relating to a planned route to be traveled by a second vehicle of a user having a friendly relationship with a user of a first vehicle, search for a guided route based on a current position of the first vehicle and the route information, such that at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle heads toward a common location, and output route guidance information relating to the guided route to at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yamada, Takahiro Suzuki, Yosuke Tokuda, Taiki Nakamura, Miyu Tanaka, Kentaro Otokubo
  • Patent number: 10872422
    Abstract: An information processing device that can accurately estimate the waiting time in a queue even if the queue is extended is provided. The information processing device includes a calculator that performs a first calculation process for calculating the waiting time of a subject person in the queue on the basis of the time when the subject person detected by a first detector passes through a first line and the time when the subject person detected by a second detector passes through a second line or a second calculation process for calculating the waiting time of a subject person in the queue on the basis of the time when the number of people lined up in the queue including the subject person is acquired by the acquirer and the time when the subject person detected by the second detector passes through the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Oya
  • Patent number: 10872524
    Abstract: A method for operating a traffic monitoring device. A sensor signal is provided by a sensor device of the traffic monitoring device is first of all read in. An item of information is then generated using the sensor signal. Finally, the information is output to an interface to at least one vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Robot GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Kienitz, Katrin Wirz, Siegrun Reis, Martin Schroeder, Lars Ole Keller
  • Patent number: 10855906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle camera device comprising: a lens unit for inducing respective focal lengths of a plurality of image acquisition regions, divided in the horizontal direction, to be different from each other; an image sensor including a plurality of pixel arrays formed to correspond to the plurality of image acquisition regions, and converting, into an electrical signal, light introduced into each of the plurality of pixel arrays through the lens unit; and a processor for generating an image on the basis of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Manhyung Lee
  • Patent number: 10839198
    Abstract: There are provided an object recognition unit of recognizing a target object in sequentially acquired images, a tracking unit of performing tracking on the sequentially acquired images for the recognized target object, and a storage controller of controlling so as to store in a first storage device the sequentially acquired images. The tracking unit further performs tracking for the target object on stored images, that are acquired before the target object is recognized by the object recognition unit in the sequentially acquired images, and are stored in the first storage device. The storage controller controls so as to store in a second storage device different from the first storage device, images in which the target object is tracked by the tracking unit of the sequentially acquired images, and images in which the target object is tracked by the tracking unit of the stored images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Gunji
  • Patent number: 10832699
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of associating a transport with an impact in proximity to one or more other transports, transmitting, by a device in proximity to the impact, media related to the impact, receiving, by a server, the media, determining, by the server, one or more sounds based on the media, and associating, by the server, the one or more sounds with one or more of the transport and the one or more other transports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Paul McFarland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10821975
    Abstract: The apparatus includes: a frontward imaging unit configured to capture an image ahead of the moving body; a frontward division line detection unit configured to detect a shape of a division line of a road surface, from the captured image, and calculate reliability of a frontward division line shape; a periphery imaging unit configured to capture an image of a periphery of the moving body; a periphery division line detection unit configured to detect a shape of the division line on the road surface, from the captured image, and calculate reliability of a periphery division line shape; and a division line shape determination unit configured to determine the shape of the division line on the road surface where the moving body moves, by selecting one from or combining the frontward division line shape and the periphery division line shape, based on first reliability and second reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Noritaka Kokido, Takuya Taniguchi, Nariaki Takehara, Kunio Ueda
  • Patent number: 10821991
    Abstract: A method includes collecting sensor data from a sensor associated with a vehicle, storing the sensor data in a buffer associated with the sensor, wherein the buffer stores an amount of buffer data, analyzing the sensor data for a proximate event trigger. When the proximate event trigger is not detected, the method includes purging a portion of the sensor data exceeding the amount of buffer data. When the proximate event trigger is detected, the method includes stopping the purging of any of the sensor data and storing the sensor data of the buffer and the sensor data associated with the proximate event trigger and sending the sensor data of the buffer and the sensor data associated with the proximate event trigger to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kevin K. Fiedler, Don M. Livesay, Amanda S. Danko, Michael J. Szentes
  • Patent number: 10822000
    Abstract: A method for providing adaptive localized notification in a vehicle compartment is presented. The method includes detecting a location of an event in a spatial environment adjacent to a first vehicle. The method also includes identifying a notification output device of multiple notification output devices that corresponds to the location of the event. The method further includes outputting, in the vehicle compartment via the notification output device, a notification that is localized to correspond to the location of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Elkins, Daniel Brooks, Selina Pan
  • Patent number: 10800330
    Abstract: An around view monitoring apparatus includes: a plurality of cameras; and at least one processor configured to process a plurality of images acquired through the plurality of cameras, wherein one or more of the plurality of cameras include a lens unit configured to form, in each of the acquired images, a first focal length in a first region and a second focal length different from the first focal length in a second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyuyeol Chae, Kwon Lee
  • Patent number: 10798145
    Abstract: Described herein are processes to evaluate data streams, for example, to a process and system for verifying whether streaming data content satisfies pre-determined parameter rules. Such rules may be dynamic. User parameters may specify particular parameters to be included in the verification process. For example, a user may use disclosed embodiments to ensure that a particular video stream will play on one or more particular video players. If the content will not play properly, embodiments of the invention provide information to the user and may make suggestions regarding recommended steps to properly qualify the stream. In other embodiments warnings or other alerts are generated and provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Garney
  • Patent number: 10791303
    Abstract: Extensive monitoring areas must often be monitored for security-related monitoring. Particularly the installation and calibration of the cameras is complex. A monitoring module 4 for the visual monitoring of a monitoring area 5 is proposed, having at least three cameras 6 to monitor the monitoring area 5, wherein the monitoring module 4 is configured as strip-shaped and/or bar-shaped, wherein the cameras 6 are arranged at defined camera intervals along a longitudinal extension L of the monitoring module 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Perwass
  • Patent number: 10759440
    Abstract: A safe driving support apparatus may include: an emotion index detection unit configured to detect an emotion index of a driver or passenger, using one or more of vision, voice and behavior of the driver or passenger; a driver risk index detection unit configured to detect a driver risk index using ego vehicle driving information and surrounding environment information of an ego vehicle; a driving difficulty level detection unit configured to detect a driving difficult level depending on a driving position of the ego vehicle; a vehicle driving unit configured to control autonomous driving of the ego vehicle; and a control unit configured to control the vehicle driving unit to drive the ego vehicle to a safe area, according to whether the emotion index, the driver risk index and the driving difficulty level are included in a preset safety area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Hyun Choo
  • Patent number: 10726274
    Abstract: Provided is an investigation assist system including a server communicably connected to a first camera and one or more second cameras; and a client terminal communicably connected to the server. The first camera captures a wide range of an intersection, and the one or more second cameras capture a license plate and a face of a person in a vehicle entering the intersection, and the first camera and the one or more second cameras are arranged at each intersection. The server searches for vehicles using videos captured by the first camera and the one or more second cameras corresponding to an intersection at the location on the date included in the search conditions, specifies a captured image of the escaping vehicle, a license plate of the escaping vehicle and an face of a person in the escaping vehicle, and stores a specified result as investigation information of the suspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSING SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hasegawa, Ryutaro Sen, Keiichi Fujiwara, Kosuke Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 10719547
    Abstract: An image retrieval assist device that is communicably connected to an investigation assist device for recording captured images of cameras installed at a plurality of intersections respectively in correlation with camera information and intersection information. The image retrieval assist device has a processor, a communication unit; and a storage that stores an extraction condition of an image for each type of event that has occurred at the intersection, the image indicating a situation at a time of occurrence of the event. The processor accepts an input of event information including the type of event. The processor generates an image retrieval key including the extraction condition according to the input event information. The communication unit transmits the generated image retrieval key to the investigation assist device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yoshida, Mikio Morioka
  • Patent number: 10699390
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor and a memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the image processing apparatus to perform: calculating, with respect to each of a plurality of captured images obtained by successively capturing a subject, an evaluation index as an index as to whether a capturing condition is appropriate or not for each of a plurality of partial images of the each of the plurality of captured images corresponding to different areas of the subject; selecting the plurality of partial images corresponding to the different areas of the subject from the plurality of captured images based on the evaluation indices of the partial images; and synthesizing the plurality of selected partial images in positions corresponding to partial images in a reference image obtained by capturing the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10650420
    Abstract: Provided is a system and methods for reducing wait time in a store with a plurality of checkout queues. The system includes an item counting device coupled to a shopping cart. The item counting device includes a weigh sensor and a counter, wherein the counter increments by 1 in response to the weigh sensor detecting an increase in weight as an item is placed within the shopping cart. The system includes an efficiency analyzer that determines a historical efficiency of an employee at a checkout register. Additionally, the system includes proximity processor that receives data from a customer through an input device and outputs a proximity of the customer to a queue. The system has a wait time processor that determines the wait time of a plurality of checkout queues and outputs the same to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Oonnikrishnan Puliyelil SivasankaranNair, Pralabh Kumar, Sourit Manna, Pranav Kabra
  • Patent number: 10648834
    Abstract: A ring-shaped magnet arrangement for use in determining a rotational angle of a rotatable shaft. The ring-shaped magnet arrangement being connected to or formed as part of the rotatable shaft for co-rotation with the rotatable shaft around a rotational axis. The ring-shaped magnet arrangement includes a first ring portion including a first wedge surface and a second ring portion including a second wedge surface. The first wedge surface and the second wedge surface form a wedge in a sensor facing end of the ring-shaped magnet arrangement. The sensor facing end is axially opposite a radial end of the ring-shaped magnet arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10587845
    Abstract: An information processing system of the present invention includes: an acquiring unit configured to acquire identification information for identifying a moving object present in a shot image based on the shot image; a specifying unit configured to specify position information representing a position of the moving object present in the shot image based on the shot image; and an estimating unit configured to estimate a position of the moving object based on the identification information and the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Nasu
  • Patent number: 10549751
    Abstract: A transmitting device is mountable in a vehicle. A first detector detects entry of another vehicle into vicinity of a vehicle mounted with the transmitting device. A second detector detects stabilization in a relationship between the other vehicle and the vehicle after the first detector detects the entry. A recording unit records a vehicle behavior of the vehicle from timing when the first detector detects the entry of the other vehicle to timing when the second detector detects the stabilization in the relationship between the other vehicle and the vehicle. A transmitter transmits the vehicle behavior recorded in the recording unit after the second detector detects the stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hayashi Ito, Kouji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10513271
    Abstract: A method includes collecting sensor data from a sensor associated with a vehicle, storing the sensor data in a buffer associated with the sensor, wherein the buffer stores an amount of buffer data, analyzing the sensor data for a proximate event trigger. When the proximate event trigger is not detected, the method includes purging a portion of the sensor data exceeding the amount of buffer data. When the proximate event trigger is detected, the method includes stopping the purging of any of the sensor data and storing the sensor data of the buffer and the sensor data associated with the proximate event trigger, and sending the sensor data of the buffer and the sensor data associated with the proximate event trigger to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kevin K. Fiedler, Don M. Livesay, Amanda S. Danko, Michael J. Szentes
  • Patent number: 10488860
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting and geocoding object data are described. More particularly, a system for collecting and geocoding object data includes an AV, a chronicle server, and a user device. The AV receives a mission specification that includes a route to be traversed by the AV. The AV traverses the route and collects object data along the way. The AV collects location data along the route. The chronicle server receives the object data and the location data from the content generating device. The object data and the location data are associated with a geocoded object (GLOB). The chronicle server generates a GLOB chronicle from a plurality of GLOBs, in which a time is associated with each of the GLOBs and a location is associated with each of the GLOBs. A user device displays the GLOB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOMODALITY, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Lee Koch, Daniel Allan Hennage
  • Patent number: 10471961
    Abstract: A cruise control device has a white line recognition unit recognizing a white line defining a lane having the own vehicle, based on an image captured by an image capturing device and a lane entering and leaving determination unit carrying out lane entering determination and lane leaving determination of the own vehicle with respect to a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the own vehicle based on the relative position of the own vehicle in the vehicle width direction with respect to the white line. In the lane entering determination and lane leaving determination, a preceding vehicle on the lane to which the own vehicle is moving is determined to be an entering lane vehicle whose lane the own vehicle is entering, and a preceding vehicle on the lane from which the own vehicle is moving is determined to be a leaving lane vehicle whose lane the own vehicle is leaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Youhei Masui, Toyoharu Katsukura, Yoshihisa Ogata, Yusuke Matsumoto, Takeshi Nanami, Takashi Nishida
  • Patent number: 10438071
    Abstract: A distributed system is disclosed for mining, correlating and analyzing locally obtained traffic video data. The system comprises a central controller configured to correlate traffic counting meta data gathered at a thoroughfare, to transmit control information to specify one or more traffic counting events to be monitored by at least one video unit located at the thoroughfare and to receive traffic counting meta data from the at least one video unit. The at least one video unit located at the thoroughfare, is configured to process a video stream from a video camera while monitoring the traffic counting events at the thoroughfare specified by the central controller, to analyze and evaluate the traffic counting event, to encode traffic meta data characterizing the analysis, and to transmit the meta data to the central controller. Further meta data can be acquired by mining the meta data history or any captured raw video footage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Echelon Corporation
    Inventors: Sohrab Modi, Shalender Singh
  • Patent number: 10431093
    Abstract: One general aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for warning of collision avoidance. The method may include receiving, with at least one server, position and movement information from a remote client, forming a motion model of the client including a predicted position of the client at a future time, and determining whether an object will be in a proximity of the position of the client at the time. If the object will be in the proximity of the position of the client at the time, the method may include determining a probability of a collision between the client and the object at the time. If the probability meets a threshold, the method may include transmitting a collision avoidance signal to at least one of the client and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Malgorzata Wiklinska, Gerhard Deuter
  • Patent number: 10414396
    Abstract: The apparatus includes: a frontward imaging unit configured to capture an image ahead of the moving body; a frontward division line detection unit configured to detect a shape of a division line of a road surface, from the captured image, and calculate reliability of a frontward division line shape; a periphery imaging unit configured to capture an image of a periphery of the moving body; a periphery division line detection unit configured to detect a shape of the division line on the road surface, from the captured image, and calculate reliability of a periphery division line shape; and a division line shape determination unit configured to determine the shape of the division line on the road surface where the moving body moves, by selecting one from or combining the frontward division line shape and the periphery division line shape, based on first reliability and second reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Noritaka Kokido, Takuya Taniguchi, Nariaki Takehara, Kunio Ueda
  • Patent number: 10403133
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may automatically vary a speed of autonomous vehicles and/or a following distance between autonomous vehicles. The systems and methods may, thereby, maintain an optimal vehicle roadway traffic flow, for example, between a “free flow” and a “wide moving jam.” Furthermore, the systems and methods may generate data representative of autonomous vehicle related emergencies based on data representative of an autonomous vehicle operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Scott T. Christensen
  • Patent number: 10336343
    Abstract: A method includes collecting first data from a first sensor associated with a vehicle and determining, based on the first data, that an event involving the vehicle may occur. The method includes identifying a second sensor located within a proximity of the vehicle and causing the second sensor to collect second data. The method also includes associating the first data and the second data with a first event associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kevin K. Fiedler, Don M. Livesay, Amanda S. Danko, Michael J. Szentes
  • Patent number: 10334155
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a first change amount calculating unit, and a second change amount calculating unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit continuously performs imaging to generate images of a plurality of frames of which the resolution is any one of a plurality of resolutions. The first change amount calculation unit calculates a first change amount that is an information change amount of the images of a plurality of frames. The second change amount calculation unit calculates a second change amount that is a temporal change amount of the first change amount. The control unit controls a resolution of the imaging unit on the basis of a result of comparing the second change amount with a threshold value and a result of discriminating a sign of the second change amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Hasebe
  • Patent number: 10331957
    Abstract: An approach is provided for estimating a vanishing point or horizon in an image depicting one or more lanes of a roadway. The approach involves processing the image to construct one or more lane models of the one or more road lanes depicted in the image. The approach also involves extending the one or more road lanes through the image using the one or more lane models. The approach further involves determining a horizontal line in the image at which a maximum number of the one or more extended road lanes crosses over a minimum horizontal extent of the horizontal line. The approach further involves designating the horizontal line as the horizon of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Richard Kwant, Anish Mittal, Nicholas Pojman, Yangyang Chen
  • Patent number: 10268203
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes: an imaging device, a reference data source, one or more sensors, one or more actuators, and a controller. The controller detects a stationary condition based at least in part on the sensor output, obtains an image during the stationary condition, identifies a reference position for a reference object based on reference data for a field of view of the imaging device during the stationary condition, identifies the reference object at a second position within the image, validates a transformation associated with the imaging device based on a difference between the reference position and the second position, and thereafter autonomously operates the one or more actuators in a manner that is influenced by the validated transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthias Wisniowski
  • Patent number: 10255802
    Abstract: A traffic information system includes a server-based media automation system configured to access a traffic system to provide mobile user access to traffic through the server-based media automation system. The system further includes a traffic data source configured to provide traffic data to the server-based media automation system and a traffic message server receiving traffic messages from the traffic data source, combining the traffic messages into a traffic frame using bounding area information. The system further includes a station importer receiving the traffic frame and creating separate streams for a plurality of high definition channels packaged and multiplexed with media data into high definition radio signals for transmission by a broadcast system and wherein the traffic frame include traffic message with a primary bounding area and at least one sub-bounding area located within the primary bounding area based on road classifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Charles Kirkendall, Amit Deshpande
  • Patent number: 10250784
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending there between. An imager circuit is in conductive connection with an imager connector. The imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle. A lens holder of a conductive material forms a shielded cavity configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and the imager circuit. The lens holder is configured to align the imager with the longitudinal axis of the optic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10235885
    Abstract: Disclosed are an autonomous vehicle driving system and method that increase probability that a signal of a traffic light will be recognized by using map information built in an autonomous vehicle driving system and a traffic light infrastructure, determine which travel route is allowed according to a camera recognition result and signal information delivered through V2X communication (traveling is allowed from which entrance lane to which exit lane), and enable an autonomous driving vehicle and a traffic light infrastructure to exchange intersection passage route information in order to allow the autonomous driving vehicle to efficiently pass through an intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kyoung Hwan An, Woo Yong Han
  • Patent number: 10194184
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing first and second streams of a multimedia content program is operable for determining a temporal difference indicative of a relative timing between first and second streams of the program, the first stream being provided to a first multimedia processing resource (MPR) and the second stream being provided to a second MPR. The method includes manipulating at least one of the streams to reduce the temporal difference until the temporal difference is less than a predetermined threshold and enabling a viewer of the first stream to interact with a viewer of the second stream regarding the program. Interactions are visually detectable on a first display screen corresponding to the first MPR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Amento, Larry Stead, Christopher Harrison
  • Patent number: 10176714
    Abstract: A driving support apparatus includes a display information obtainment section, a lighting state obtainment section, a validity determination section, and a support content setting section. The display information obtainment section obtains display information indicating a display content of at least one road sign present around a vehicle. The lighting state obtainment section obtains a lighting state of a corresponding traffic light, which corresponds to the road sign. The validity determination section determines whether or not a display content of a light limiting sign is effective based on the lighting state, when the light limiting sign is obtained based on the display information, the light limiting sign being a road sign whose display content is effective if the corresponding traffic light is in a predetermined lighting state. The support content setting section that sets a content of driving support based on a determination result of the validity determination section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoto Yoshitomi
  • Patent number: 10166921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting color and brightness in multi-camera systems are disclosed. The system uses four cameras, having overlapping fields of view, mounted on the four sides of a vehicle. Color errors are determined for areas where the images from the rear and side cameras' fields of view overlap. Color gain factors are determined and applied for each of the side cameras (using the rear camera as “master”) to match the colors of the video outputs from the side cameras and the rear camera. The gains for the front view camera are then adjusted using gain factors based on the matched video outputs from the side view cameras using the side cameras as the “master” to the front camera “slave.” In this way, the rear camera indirectly acts as the master for the front camera and all cameras are ultimately color-matched to the rear camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Greg Sypitkowski
  • Patent number: 10156441
    Abstract: Estimation of the ground plane of a three dimensional (3D) point cloud based modifications to the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm is provided. The modifications may include applying roll and pitch constraints to the selection of random planes in the 3D point cloud, using a cost function based on the number of inliers in the random plane and the number of 3D points below the random plane in the 3D point cloud, and computing a distance threshold for the 3D point cloud that is used in determining whether or not a 3D point in the 3D point cloud is an inlier of a random plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Soyeb Nagori, Poorna Kumar, Manu Mathew, Prashanth Ramanathpur Viswanath, Deepak Kumar Poddar
  • Patent number: 10147003
    Abstract: A more accurate lane is estimated by using a lane at a previous time point after coordinate conversion that is coordinate-converted based on traveling information (a vehicle speed and a yaw rate) at a current time point, as well as a lane at the current time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Kizumi
  • Patent number: 10142535
    Abstract: A vehicle camera system and method for operating a vehicle camera system comprising a vehicle camera with communication capabilities. The vehicle camera operating in conjunction with other components to provide information to users. The vehicle camera system compiles information from multiple components into a single repository of video recordings with information, such as location information, vehicle status and diagnostic information, alert information and other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfred Charles Boudreau, Michael E. Williams, Brian Neal Hosler, Jonathan Charles Levell
  • Patent number: 10129443
    Abstract: An imaging device of the present invention includes: a first case having an opening; a substrate on which a first terminal electrically connected to an imaging element is mounted, the substrate being provided in the first case; a second case covering the opening of the first case; and a connector. A first terminal accommodation portion accommodating the first terminal is fixed to the substrate. The connector includes a second terminal accommodation portion accommodating a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal. The second case has a through hole. The first and second terminals are configured so that, in a process in which the first terminal accommodation portion and the second terminal accommodation portion are inserted to be accommodated in the through hole, the first and second terminals come into contact with each other while sliding on each other and the first and second terminals are elastically deformable upon contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: J.S.T. MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Shiraishi, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10127570
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing vehicle operation data associated with a temporary or periodic usage of a vehicle by a driver. In aspects, the driver may associate with an electronic device within the vehicle that may record or collect the vehicle operation data. After the vehicle operation has concluded, the vehicle operation data may be analyzed to assess a performance of the driver during operation of the vehicle, whereby the performance may be influenced by positive or negative driving events. Based on the performance of the driver, a profile or account of the user may be processed accordingly such that the user may be incentivized to modify certain driving behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Kerry Cote, Nicholas R. Baker, Mark E. Clauss, Todd Binion, Andrea Lee Rhoades, Steven J. Balbach, Brian Mark Fields, Kyle Pott
  • Patent number: 10037606
    Abstract: A video analysis apparatus includes: an identification unit that identifies whether each divided group includes a difference frame with a data size of a predetermined threshold value or more, the group being configured from video data which is encoded video data received from an imaging device captured a monitored base and is divided in units of groups each including a plurality of frames in a chronological order; a decoding unit that performs a decoding process on the plurality of frames of the group identified by the identification unit to include the difference frame with the data size of the predetermined threshold value or more; and a detection unit that performs image analysis on the decoded each frame to detect a moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Atsunori Sakai
  • Patent number: 10023201
    Abstract: A method includes collecting first data from a first sensor associated with a vehicle and determining, based on the first data, that an event involving the vehicle may occur. The method includes identifying a second sensor located within a proximity of the vehicle and causing the second sensor to collect second data. The method also includes associating the first data and the second data with a first event associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Kevin K. Fiedler, Don M. Livesay, Amanda S. Danko, Michael J. Szentes
  • Patent number: 9994074
    Abstract: A detection device includes a camera, a recognition unit, and a detection unit. The camera acquires image data obtained by capturing surroundings of a vehicle. The recognition unit recognizes switching of signal indication of a traffic signal from the image data. The detection unit detects a dangerous driving degree indicating a degree of dangerous driving done by a driver of the vehicle based on acceleration data of the vehicle acquired after the signal indication is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Haike Guan, Ryosuke Kasahara, Tomoaki Yano, Naoki Kikuchi, Takashi Maki
  • Patent number: 9975482
    Abstract: Platforms and techniques are described in which a traffic event detection system includes a camera connected to a CPU in a vehicle. The camera is mounted on an extendable support, and captures images in front of the vehicle at a height generally above that of vehicles that may be ahead of the subject vehicle. The CPU can analyze those images for sudden change in traffic pattern based on a change in red color content of the image stream, and can warn the driver with an alert if the cars in front of him or her brake suddenly, or other traffic events occur. In implementations, short-term and long-term signal averages can be used to reduce false positive signals, and increase overall accuracy of traffic detection processing. In embodiments, the system can apply a timer to determine if potential hazards continue to be detected, and generated louder alarms or other graduated alerts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Eric Sinclair
  • Patent number: 9937876
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicle includes a camera housing portion, an imaging sensor disposed at a base portion of the camera housing portion, and a lens system disposed at a first portion of the camera housing portion. A first circuit board includes circuitry associated with the imaging sensor, which is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first circuit board. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are configured to join together to encase the first and second circuit boards. The connector portion includes a multi-pin connector having terminals that include (i) a first terminal portion for electrically connecting with a connector of the vehicle and (ii) a second terminal portion for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed at the first circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Joseph Camilleri, Peter J. Whitehead, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 9918001
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for crowd sourcing current traffic conditions using an image sensor on a vehicle to record traffic conditions at the vehicle location, date and time stamp the images, and transmit the images along with selected vehicle operating conditions and vehicle coordinates through a network to a central crowd sourcing traffic condition control. The control stores the images and, upon receiving an image request from a vehicle, transmits traffic condition images to the requesting vehicle through the network for a specified roadway segment. A vehicle opted-in to the control can select another opted-in vehicle to have an image taken by the any selected vehicle of a desired road location. The control handles the exchange of a request and an image between the requesting vehicle and the selecting vehicle to enable an instantaneous image of a desired road location to be displayed in the requesting vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Pisz
  • Patent number: 9824323
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed to detect whether an interaction has occurred between a customer and one or more store employees. By analyzing a how long a communication device used by the customer was within a threshold range of one or more devices worn by store employees, an interaction between the customer and one or more store employees may be identified. Employees whom the customer interacted with may be identified by processing transmission parameters broadcasted by the devices worn by the store employees. Thus, all employees in which a customer interacted with while visiting a store may be identified. The customer may be asked for feedback via the communication device upon detection that a customer has completed a transaction and/or left the store. Using the solicited feedback provided by the customer, various types of reports may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: WALGREEN CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin Weiss, Tim McCauley, Nicholas Eby
  • Patent number: 9819845
    Abstract: A method for assembling a vehicle vision system camera module includes providing rear and front housing portions, each having a respective mating surface and perimeter flange at least partially around the mating surface, with the perimeter flange having a securing surface opposite the first mating surface. With the mating surfaces at one another, a securing element is disposed along the perimeter flanges of the front and rear housing portions. First and second tabs of the securing element are bent to overlap and engage the respective securing surfaces of the respective perimeter flanges. The securing element is crimped at the perimeter flanges to urge the mating surfaces against one another to secure the rear housing portion relative to the front housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hartmut Winter, Stefan Sauer