Remote Control System Patents (Class 701/2)
  • Patent number: 11966221
    Abstract: Provided is a method for delivering goods in collaboration of a plurality of autonomous vehicles including a master vehicle and one or more slave vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: PABLO AIR Co., Ltd., PABLO AIR International, INC.
    Inventors: Youngjoon Kim, Seung Han Lim
  • Patent number: 11966242
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for load-based primary regulation in a power system. In one embodiment the method comprises receiving information pertaining to each load of a plurality of loads in a power distribution system; generating, using the information, a plurality of combinations of operating states for the plurality of loads that provides a pseudo-linear response for all the plurality of loads; generating a look up table (LUT) that comprises the plurality of combinations of operating states; and transmitting the LUT to each load of the plurality of loads for use by the plurality of loads in primary regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Richard Zimmanck, Adam Rosenstein
  • Patent number: 11960627
    Abstract: Technologies and techniques for anonymizing vehicle data. A data set is created on the basis of captured vehicle data and includes information regarding the location and/or time of the data capture. The information may be anonymized on the basis of traffic flow data by locally concealing the information regarding the location of the data capture and/or by temporally concealing the information regarding the time of the data capture. The traffic flow data may be based on group information received by the vehicle providing the vehicle data via vehicle-to-vehicle communication from other vehicles. A related motor vehicle and a network server directed to the anonymization is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Max, Martin Wegner
  • Patent number: 11961408
    Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air traffic control method utilizing wireless networks and concurrently supporting delivery application authorization and management communicating with a plurality of UAVs via a plurality of cell towers associated with the wireless networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardware and antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of cell towers; maintaining data associated with flight of each of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating; processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of functions associated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs; and processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of functions for the delivery application authorization and management for each of the plurality of UAVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Metal Raptor Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Priest
  • Patent number: 11958479
    Abstract: In order to control at least partially automated vehicles in a road danger zone, in particular road junctions in road traffic, in such a way that the vehicles can pass through the road danger zone in flowing traffic without stop/start interruptions, such as those caused e.g. by signalling equipment, traffic lights, the following proposes the following steps: a) each vehicle of the vehicles, on approaching the road danger zone, surrender the power to control the dynamic driving tasks of the vehicle in order to pass through said zone, b) when the vehicles have surrendered vehicle control power, a central control entity generates a digital road danger zone twin, and, as a result of the vehicles having surrendered vehicle control power, vehicle movements of the vehicle are automatically and dynamically controlled in a vehicle-coordinated and collision-free manner in order to pass through the road danger zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Kai Höfig, Cornel Klein
  • Patent number: 11961337
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology encompass solutions for automatically requesting a backup vehicle for passengers of an autonomous vehicle provisioned ride-hailing service. In some aspects, a process of the disclosed technology includes steps for collecting diagnostic data relating to at least one AV operation, and analyzing the diagnostic data to determine if the AV needs maintenance. Moreover, in response to a determination that the AV needs maintenance, the process can include steps for automatically requesting a backup service for a passenger of the AV. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Bachant, Nadav Ullman, Joseph Thibeault, Jake McCloskey, Paul Garcia, Jose Arturo Covarrubias-Reynoso, Michael Magnoli
  • Patent number: 11961310
    Abstract: Examples are provided for traffic sign detection systems. In one example, a traffic detection system in a vehicle includes an image sensor, a communication system, a processor, and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to capture an image of an environment of the vehicle via the image sensor, process the image to detect visual information regarding a traffic sign in the image, the visual information indicating a recognized sign, receive cryptographic data via the communication system from a transmitter associated with the traffic sign, the cryptographic data including a cryptographic representation of a traffic sign signal for controlling the traffic sign, and selectively control one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle based on a cryptographic verification of the recognized sign using the cryptographic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Asadullah Ansari, Sharath Yadav Doddamane Hemantharaja, Jipin Jose
  • Patent number: 11951945
    Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) entry device provides remote keyless entry (RKE) into an enclosure having an RKE control unit, a door, and a door actuator. The NFC entry device includes a housing and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The housing mounts to the enclosure. The PCBA is enclosed within a cavity of the housing, and includes first and second surfaces, an RF antenna and an inductor coil connected to the first surface, and an NFC communication chipset connected to the second surface. The NFC entry device passively harvests energy from a battery powered mobile device via the inductor coil and stores the energy in the capacitor. The passively harvested energy is used to communicate a control signal to the RKE control unit, via the RF antenna, which activates the door actuator. A standby battery may be used when the capacitor is insufficiently charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Enterprise Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pearson, Jeffrey Carl Vogel
  • Patent number: 11953919
    Abstract: In order to solve the problem in which a flight vehicle flies only in locations having poor communication quality and retained data cannot necessarily reach the ground, this device communicates with a flight vehicle, wherein the device is provided with: a storage means that associates and stores first position information and a first communication rate at which it is possible to communicate at the position of the first position information; an extraction means that, upon receiving information that corresponds to a prescribed second communication rate at which the flight vehicle transmits data, extracts the first position information corresponding to the first communication rate equal to or greater than the second communication rate from the storage means; and an output means that outputs the first position information extracted by the extraction means to the flight vehicle, or outputs the inputted first position information to an instrument that notifies the flight vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Nakata
  • Patent number: 11953337
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for assisting transport vehicle drivers in material discharge for optimized working at a worksite by work machines such as dozers. A first user interface associated with the work machine accesses a map comprising three-dimensional data corresponding to at least a portion of the worksite. User input is received via the first user interface corresponding to desired discharge location(s) in the worksite to be worked, and output signals are generated for modifying a display on a second user interface associated with the transport vehicle, said modifications corresponding to the received user input and for directing the transport vehicle to the desired discharge locations. The two vehicles may share a common mapping unit such that input from the work machine is applied substantially in real-time at the transport vehicle. Alternatively, the inputs may be translated across mapping units to generate appropriate positioning instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jon C. Gilbeck, Jonathan Spendlove, Zimin W. Vilar, Cory J. Brant
  • Patent number: 11948161
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a disposal recommendation for an owned vehicle are provided. The method includes generating a profile for the owned vehicle, the profile including age, mileage, and location of the owned vehicle, receiving monitoring data of the owned vehicle, and receiving sales data for non-owned vehicles corresponding to the profile. The method may further include generating predicted depreciation data of the owned vehicle, based on the sales data and the monitoring data, and providing a recommended disposal time for the owned vehicle, based on the predicted depreciation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Staevan Duckworth, Qiaochu Tang, Habeeb Hooshmand, Micah Price, Geoffrey Dagley, Stephen Wylie, Jason Hoover
  • Patent number: 11949779
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for registering a shared key. A method of registering, by a second electronic device, a shared digital key in a target device includes receiving a digital key sharing attestation and a key tracking server (KTS) signature corresponding to the digital key sharing attestation, receiving an authentication request from the target device, and transmitting an authentication response including the digital key sharing attestation and the KTS signature to the target device in response to the authentication request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taehyung Lim, Inyoung Shin, Jonghyo Lee, Sooyeon Jung
  • Patent number: 11945447
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of operating, by a transport, within a boundary and determining, by the transport, that the operating of the transport within the boundary is desired to be exceeded. In response to a consensus based on one or more operations of the transport and one or more occupant characteristics of the transport, the method includes operating, by the transport, within the exceeded boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Paul McFarland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11938356
    Abstract: Wildfires release enormous quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in addition to devastating animal habitats, destroying homes, and causing fatalities. Drones equipped with artificial intelligence to navigate through wooded locations, fire-detection hardware, and firefighting hardware can protect the environment by preventing wildfires. Methods can use a drone system that includes one or more drones to prevent wildfires. Each drone can include an infrared camera configured to detect fires. Each drone can fly in view of areas that might have a fire. After detecting a fire, the drone system can put out the fire if the fire is small. The drone system can also notify systems and people who can put out the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Owen Charles Wengreen
  • Patent number: 11938950
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs); a communicator configured to detect a personal identification device of an occupant and receive an identification (ID) of the occupant from the personal identification device of the occupant; and at least one processor electrically connected to the communicator and configured to determine a position of the personal identification device, wherein the processor is configured to, in response that the ID of the occupant corresponds to an pre-stored ID, generate a control signal for controlling the plurality of ECUs to perform a function that matches the pre-stored ID for an occupant seat corresponding to the determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Min Ha Park
  • Patent number: 11943282
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to managing and sharing augmented reality (AR) content, and, more specifically, to an AR platform providing synchronized sharing of AR content in real time across multiple AR devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Iris XR Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Rafkind, Steve Lukas
  • Patent number: 11932286
    Abstract: A system includes an autonomous vehicle (AV) comprising a sensor, a control subsystem, and an operation server. The control subsystem receives sensor data comprising location coordinates of the AV from the sensor. The operation server detects an unexpected event from the sensor data, comprising at least one of an accident, an inspection, and a report request. The operation server receives a message from a user comprising a request to access particular information regarding the AV and location data. The operation server associates the AV with the user if the location coordinates of the AV match location data of the user. The operation server establishes a communication path between the user and a remote operator for further communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventor: Joyce Tam
  • Patent number: 11931610
    Abstract: Wildfires can quickly grow to enormous scales with devastating environmental impacts. Drone systems that provide early detection of wildfire risks can prevent wildfires before they grow out of control. Methods can use drones equipped with artificial intelligence to navigate through wooded locations and detect fire risks. Drones can include fire-detection hardware and fire-fighting hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Owen Charles Wengreen
  • Patent number: 11935070
    Abstract: A method and system may automatically provide a remote airline agent to a user. A server device receives pending requests to communicate with a remote airline agent from users each attempting to modify a flight segment or obtain assistance related to the flight segment. For each of the requests, the server device obtains flight information for the flight segments to identify a flight urgency level or a flight criticality level for the flight segment. The server device assigns a priority level to each of the pending requests based on one or more attributes associated with each pending request, ranks the pending requests in accordance with the assigned priority levels, and automatically connects to a client device for a highest ranked request of the pending requests to initiate a video chat between the user and the remote airline agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bence, Stephanie Ricker, Shubhankar Chowdhury, James Stathopoulos
  • Patent number: 11926060
    Abstract: A method of transporting an object using a system comprising a plurality of robots. The method comprises one or more robots of the plurality of robots arranging themselves to each exert a respective transporting force on the object. Each of the one or more robots evaluates whether it satisfies a transport criterion while arranged to exert the respective transporting force on the object. If all of the one or more robots satisfy the transport criterion, the one or more robots exert the respective transporting forces on the object to transport the object towards a destination. At least one of the one or more robots evaluates whether it satisfies the transport criterion based on observations of other robots of the plurality of robots within its vicinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Marius Jurt
  • Patent number: 11927951
    Abstract: A remote wireless hydraulic cab preferably includes a cab member, a hydraulic sensor block, an electrical bulkhead, a cab bridge controller and a cab transceiver. The cab member preferably includes a cab enclosure, two hydraulic joysticks, two hydraulic treadles and electrical equipment. The hydraulic sensor block includes a sensor block and a plurality of hydraulic pressure sensors. Hydraulic lines from the joysticks and treadles are connected to the sensor block. Pressure measurements from the joysticks and treadles are sent from the plurality of hydraulic pressure sensors to the cab bridge controller. The cab bridge controller sends signals for wireless transmission through a cab wireless transceiver to a frame transceiver. The electrical equipment is supplied with electrical power and transmits signals through the electrical bulkhead. Electrical power to the cab enclosure is supplied through an electrical generator and hydraulic fluid to the joysticks and treadles are supplied through a hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY NA, INC., ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventors: Mark McKinley, Brittney Bembenek, Matthew Seeger, Steven Melotik
  • Patent number: 11924584
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise disposing a smart camera system on a vehicle and installing the smart camera system to the vehicle. The method may further comprise recording data from transportation infrastructure with the smart camera system, transmitting the data to a remote server with the transmitter, analyzing the data on the server, and accessing the data on the server with device. A system for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise a smart camera system disposed on a vehicle, wherein the smart camera system comprises a camera and transmitter, as well as a server capable to analyze data. A device may be configured to record and collect transportation infrastructure conditions. The camera system may comprise a camera, an electronic control module, a global positioning system, a single board computer, and a dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ennis-Flint, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11922341
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling autonomous vehicles are provided. Assisted autonomy tasks facilitated by operators for a plurality of autonomous vehicles can be tracked in order to generate operator attributes for each of a plurality of operators. The attributes for an operator can be based on tracking one or more respective assisted autonomy tasks facilitated by the operator. The operator attributes can be used to facilitate enhanced remote operations for autonomous vehicles. For example, request parameters can be obtained in response to a request for remote assistance associated with an autonomous vehicle. An operator can be selected to assist with autonomy tasks for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the operator attributes for the operator and the request parameters associated with the request. Remote assistance for the first autonomous vehicle can be initiated, facilitated by the first operator in response to the request for remote assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Shanshi Chen, Samann Ghorbanian-Matloob, Brent Justin Goldman, Michael Guanran Huang
  • Patent number: 11924720
    Abstract: A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. In one aspect, the monitoring system includes one or more sensors that are located throughout the property and that are configured to generate sensor data. The monitoring system further includes a drone that is configured to move throughout the property and generate additional sensor data. The monitoring system further includes a drone dock that is configured to receive the drone, wherein the drone is configured to continue generating the additional sensor data while the drone dock is receiving the drone. The monitoring system further includes a monitor control unit that is configured to receive the sensor data and the additional sensor data, analyze the sensor data and the additional sensor data, determine a status of the property, and provide, for output, data indicating the status of the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Franklin Bart, Erdal Caglayan
  • Patent number: 11921500
    Abstract: Technology for generating and displaying a graphical user interface for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed herein that generates and updates a representation of a spline flight path. In various implementations, a graphical user interface detects user interactions with a remote control device directing the flight control subsystem of the UAV to record keyframes and to compute a spline based on the keyframes during flight. The graphical user interface displays a real-time perspective of the UAV with a representation of the spline and the keyframes overlaying the view. The graphical user interface continually updates the representation as the UAV flies and when the spline is updated as the keyframes are updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Beaudouin-Lafon, Saumya Pravinbhai Shah, Kristen Marie Holtz, James Anthony Ferrandini, Hayk Martirosyan, Matthew Joseph Donahoe, Charles VanSchoonhoven Wood, Clara Kelley, Adam Parker Bry, Jack Louis Zhu
  • Patent number: 11914389
    Abstract: Provided is a method for an autonomous vehicle to handle goods in collaboration with an unmanned aerial vehicle. The method comprises recognizing an unmanned aerial vehicle loading goods by the autonomous vehicle, capturing an image of the recognized unmanned aerial vehicle by the autonomous vehicle, analyzing the captured image to recognize a marker by the autonomous vehicle, adjusting a relative position of the autonomous vehicle and the unmanned aerial vehicle by moving the autonomous vehicle based on a recognition result of the marker, and taking over the goods from the unmanned aerial vehicle by the autonomous vehicle after position adjustment is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: PABLO AIR Co., Ltd., PABLO AIR International, INC.
    Inventors: Youngjoon Kim, Seung Han Lim
  • Patent number: 11904846
    Abstract: A remote parking apparatus comprises an electronic control unit which executes a remote parking control to move an own vehicle and park the own vehicle in a designated parking space in response to receiving a signal transmitted wirelessly from an operation terminal. The electronic control unit is configured to set a parking space as the designated parking space even when there is an obstacle interrupting parking the own vehicle in the parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya Otani
  • Patent number: 11907868
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, processes, and computer-readable mediums for facilitating the use of drones are described. For one embodiment, such a system includes a user element having a user application computer program configured to instruct a user interface device to facilitate use of user data and use of mission parameter(s) for a proposed drone mission. An owner element includes an owner application computer program configured to facilitate use of owner data and use of at least one drone parameter. A fleet system element is communicatively coupled to the user element and to the owner element and includes a computer system processor configured to facilitate use of a fleet record and use of at least one fleet parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kayhan Karatekeli, Srinath Raghavan, Swapnil Tilaye
  • Patent number: 11905014
    Abstract: A technique for operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a terminal area from which the UAVs are staged includes charging a plurality of the UAVs on charging pads disposed in a staging array at the terminal area. Merchant facilities for preparing packages for delivery by the UAVs are disposed about a periphery of the staging array. The UAVs are relocated under their own propulsion from interior charging pads to peripheral loading pads of the staging array as the peripheral loading pads become available and the UAVs are deemed sufficiently charged and ready for delivery missions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WING Aviation LLC
    Inventors: James Schmalzried, Benjamin Jacobs, Brandon Jones, Stephen Lacy, Jonathan Lesser, Aditya Undurti, André Prager
  • Patent number: 11897504
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of driving a motor vehicle. The method determines position data relating to at least one of a current position or a predicted future position of the motor vehicle detecting, using at least one sensor device, surroundings data relating to a surrounding environment of the motor vehicle, determining at least one driving intervention based on the surroundings data, and controlling at least one vehicle system of the motor vehicle to execute the determined at least one driving intervention. The at least one driving intervention executed by a selected software module that is selected based on the surroundings data, and the selected software module is selected from a plurality of software modules based on the position data. Each software module is configured to execute the at least one driving intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Lukas Rottkamp
  • Patent number: 11898322
    Abstract: A master-side device is provided outside a working machine and transmits, to a slave-side device, a command for controlling activation of an actuator. The master-side device is provided with a master-side lever and an operation pattern switching unit. The operation pattern switching unit switches a master-side operation pattern in which a first command according to an operation of the master-side lever is combined with a second command for an operation of a machine-side lever. The slave-side device transmits, to the master-side device, information of a machine-side operation pattern selected by an operation pattern switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sasaki, Seiji Saiki
  • Patent number: 11902790
    Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle includes a programming device comprising an application for programming vehicle function settings of a vehicle. The programming device has a transmitter communicating the vehicle function settings of the vehicle. A vehicle receiver is disposed within the vehicle. The vehicle receiver receives the vehicle function settings. A vehicle is controller disposed within the vehicle. A helmet generates a helmet movement signal in response to sensing movement of the helmet. The helmet communicates a helmet identifier to the vehicle controller through the receiver in response to the helmet movement signal. The vehicle controller controls a vehicle function in response to the vehicle function settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Taylor, Troy D. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 11896536
    Abstract: Systems and methods of wheelchair systems having a companion control mode are disclosed. The wheelchair system includes a companion and a wheelchair. The wheelchair includes one or more wheels, at least one actuator coupled to the one or more wheels, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to determine the companion, generate a companion profile based on the determined companion, determine a movement of the companion, and actuate the at least one actuator to drive the one or more wheels to follow the movement of the companion. The actuation of the at least one actuator to drive the one or more wheels to follow the movement of the companion is an autonomous control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario Jose Villarreal Suarez, Sarah Darrow, Douglas A. Moore, Christopher Lee
  • Patent number: 11897589
    Abstract: A system and method that reduces wave-making resistance of at least one follower vessel following at least one lead vessel operating in a seaway based on a determination of time-dependent variations in the Kelvin wake waves being generated by the lead vessel when operating in a seaway. By using a time-dependent Kelvin wake wave generation approach, the determination of where to position the follower vessel in a reduced wave-making resistance region may be improved, such as when the lead vessel changes direction and/or speed in the seaway. Such an approach may position the follower vessel based on information associated with the Kelvin wake wave generated by the lead vessel in the past, which the follower vessel approaches this past-generated Kelvin wake wave and is positioned in the reduced wave-making resistance region associated with this past-generated Kelvin wake wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Patent number: 11899451
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote controller for a vehicle includes at least one control element for controlling operation of at least one aspect of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a remote-control mode; an actuator connected the at least one control element for controlling a position of the at least one control element when the vehicle is in an autonomous operations mode; and a processing system for receiving a first control signal from the vehicle indicative of a state of operation of the vehicle. In operation, the processing system generates a second control signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to control a position of the control element such that it corresponds to and indicates the state of operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Yibum Chung, Russell C. Peters, Andrew Vincent Louis
  • Patent number: 11892856
    Abstract: An information processing method uses a computer and includes: obtaining a first information item regarding first monitoring performed by a first monitor on a first vehicle, the first monitoring being allocated to the first monitor; obtaining a second information item regarding second monitoring on a second vehicle, the second monitoring being not allocated to any monitor; comparing the first information item with the second information item; generating presentation information indicating the second monitoring on the second vehicle in accordance with a result of the comparing; and presenting the generated presentation information via a presentation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoneda, Toshiya Arai, Yuta Shimotsuma
  • Patent number: 11892836
    Abstract: The present application comprises a system for controlling a plurality of autonomous vehicles on a mine site, the system comprising: a centralized platform configured to store an inventory list of vehicles travelling on the mine site and comprising a first communication interface configured to communicate missions to the vehicles; a plurality of autonomous vehicles, the autonomous vehicles comprising: a first communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the centralized platform for receiving a predetermined mission, a trajectory control system configured to autonomously control the autonomous vehicle according to the predetermined mission; and at least one portable device, the portable device comprising a second communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a second communication interface of the plurality of vehicles from the mine site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LIEBHERR MINING EQUIPMENT NEWPORT NEWS CO.
    Inventors: James Whitfield, Jr., Bryan Harper
  • Patent number: 11893682
    Abstract: One variation of a method includes: accessing a 2D color image recorded by a 2D color camera and a 3D point cloud recorded by a 3D depth sensor at approximately a first time, the 2D color camera and the 3D depth sensor defining intersecting fields of view and facing outwardly from an autonomous vehicle; detecting a cluster of points in the 3D point cloud representing a continuous surface approximating a plane; isolating a cluster of color pixels in the 2D color image depicting the continuous surface; projecting the cluster of color pixels onto the plane to define a set of synthetic 3D color points in the 3D point cloud, the cluster of points and the set of synthetic 3D color points representing the continuous surface; and rendering points in the 3D point cloud and the set of synthetic 3D color points on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Kah Seng Tay, Qing Sun, James Patrick Marion
  • Patent number: 11892838
    Abstract: According to one aspect, methods to validate an autonomy system in conjunction with a teleoperations system are provided. A computing device obtains simulation data of an autonomous driving system of a vehicle. The simulation data includes first environment data representing an environment in which the vehicle is driven using the autonomous driving system. The computing device obtains teleoperations driving data of a teleoperations driving system by which the vehicle is remotely controlled with an aid of a human. The teleoperations driving data includes second environment data representing the environment in which the vehicle is driven using the teleoperations driving system. The computing device determines whether the autonomous driving system in conjunction with the teleoperations driving system meets a minimum deployment standard based on the simulation data and the teleoperations driving data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventor: Sreeja Nag
  • Patent number: 11891052
    Abstract: A parking control method causes a control device of a vehicle to execute a first control instruction for moving the vehicle along a first route to a target parking space, on the basis of an operation command acquired from an operator located outside the vehicle. This method includes, when execution of the first control instruction is suspended or canceled, calculating a second route for the vehicle to leave with a predetermined distance or more from an object detected around the vehicle and causing the control device to execute a second control instruction for moving the vehicle along the second route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Yasuhisa Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11885627
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining a transport, in a group of transports associated with a date of disposition, is operating below an efficiency threshold of the group of transports, and limiting transports, in the group of transports, that are operating most above the efficiency threshold, from performing functionality until the group of transports is at the efficiency threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Norman Lu, Maximilian Parness
  • Patent number: 11884291
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for the determining whether to assign a driver to a trip. For instance, a route for a trip between a pickup location and a destination location for a passenger may be determined. Branch routes for the route may be determined based on one or more lane changes of the route. A probability of following each determined branch route may be determined. A probability of requiring assistance for each determined branch route may be determined. Whether to assign a driver to the trip may be determined based on the probabilities for each determined branch route. A vehicle of a fleet of vehicles may be assigned to the trip based on the determine of whether to assign a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Gao, Ajay Joshi, Gabriel Wolosin
  • Patent number: 11884525
    Abstract: A lift device includes a lift assembly, a platform, and a controller. The lift assembly is configured to be driven to increase or decrease in length by extension and retraction of one or more actuators. The platform is coupled at an upper end of the lift assembly. The controller is configured to receive a value of a pitch angle and a roll angle of the lift device from an orientation sensor. The controller is further configured to determine a maximum allowable elevation of the platform based on at least one of the value of the roll angle and the value of the pitch angle of the lift device. The controller is further configured to limit operation of the lift assembly based on the maximum allowable elevation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Shashank Bhatia, Aaron Powers, Michael W. Stouffer
  • Patent number: 11886182
    Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating/controlling robots. In many scenarios, data collected by a sensor (connected to a robot) may not have very high precision (e.g., a regular commercial/inexpensive sensor) or may be subjected to dynamic environmental changes. Thus, the data collected by the sensor may not indicate the parameter captured by the sensor with high accuracy. The present robotic control system is directed at such scenarios. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for computing a sliding velocity limit boundary for a spatial controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed embodiments can be used for teleoperation of a vehicle located in the field of view of a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Tomahawk Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Summer, William S. Bowman, Andrew D. Falendysz, Kevin M. Makovy, Daniel R. Hedman, Bradley D. Truesdell
  • Patent number: 11886185
    Abstract: The relative position between a vehicle and an extension unit located outside the vehicle is detected, and a command touch operation for operating the vehicle with a remote operation device is set in accordance with the detected relative position. The touch operation of an operator is detected by a touch panel of the remote operation device, and a determination is made as to whether or not the detected touch operation is the command touch operation. When the touch operation is the command touch operation, the vehicle is controlled to execute autonomous travel control. The vehicle has an autonomous travel control function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Junya Kobayashi, Yasuhiro Sakurai, Ryota Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 11884238
    Abstract: Techniques for interacting with authorized and unauthorized users by a door interface component are discussed herein. A vehicle computing device can implement the door interface component and/or an authentication component to control operation of a door of the vehicle or initiate a communication for assistance. For instance, the door interface component can include a button, that provides different visual indicators and functionality based on whether the user is authorized to enter the autonomous vehicle (e.g., open a door or provide visual indicators for the user to select to cause the door to open) or to request to move the vehicle, initiate hiring the vehicle, or call for help when the user is unauthorized to enter the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZOOX, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Allen Haskin, Auver Cedric Austria
  • Patent number: 11879231
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlled loading by a self-propelled work vehicle comprising ground engaging units supporting a main frame, and at least one work attachment moveable with respect to the main frame for loading and unloading material in a loading area external to the work vehicle. Using at least one detector, such as cameras and/or vehicle motion sensors, location inputs for the loading area are detected respective to the main frame and/or at least one work attachment. A trigger input is detected in association with transition of the work vehicle from a first work state to an automated second work state. In the second work state, at least movement of the main frame and/or the at least one work attachment is automatically controlled relative to a defined reference associated with the loading area. Such a system and method facilitates loading operations and accordingly higher productivity regardless of operator experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Nathaniel M. Czarnecki, Ryan Stumvoll
  • Patent number: 11882500
    Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking luggage. Luggage is tracked by associating the luggage with a user account during a loading action and during an unloading action. The system further includes systems and methods for retrieving lost luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Romil Shah, Sakthi Narayanan Balasubramanian, Anuja Anil Shirsat, Sonal Doomra, Shounak Athavale
  • Patent number: 11878652
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device includes vehicle information detecting unit for detecting an on/off state of vehicle power, relay input/output unit for controlling an external relay configured to make a switch between a starting-disabled state and a starting-enabled state of a vehicle, and vehicle information-associated control unit for controlling the external relay based on a relay control command. The vehicle information-associated control unit controls the external relay based on an elapsed time since a change in the on/off state of vehicle power detected by the vehicle information detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: GLOBAL MOBILITY SERVICE INC.
    Inventors: Hiraku Toyooka, Keita Danjyo, Katsuyoshi Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 11878745
    Abstract: A steering wheel actuator is attached to a steering wheel column. The steering wheel actuator includes a gear assembly for turning a steering wheel on the steering wheel column, a motor for rotating the gear assembly, and an enclosure. A control system in the enclosure controls the motor to automatically steer the vehicle. The control system may receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from a GNSS antenna and GNSS receiver located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the GNSS signals. The control system also may receive inertial measurement unit (IMU) signals from an IMU located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the IMU signals. The control system also may receive user input signals from a user interface located on the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the user input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLC
    Inventors: Jim Tan, Alan Robert Joughin, Jean-Marie Eichner, Glen Sapilewski, Andreas F. Ramm, Husam Kai