Modification Or Correction Of Route Information Patents (Class 701/26)
  • Patent number: 9718466
    Abstract: A driving path planning apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes a driving information obtainer to obtain crossroad information, current velocity, and velocity setting of the vehicle. A global path planner plans a base frame, and an environment recognizer recognizes obstacle on a path and lane information of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a velocity profile generator to generate a velocity profile for the vehicle, using current velocity and velocity setting, a candidate path planner to plan candidate paths for the vehicle, using velocity profile and base frame, and a path selector to check whether or not the candidate paths have collision risks and select one candidate path of the candidate paths as a driving path for the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hoi Won Kim, Su Jung Yoo, Min Yong Shin, Kyoung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 9689686
    Abstract: Techniques for determining whether data associated with an autonomous navigation of an unmanned vehicle may be trusted. For example, navigation-related data may be provided from a source external to the unmanned vehicle. Image data associated with the autonomous navigation may be generated. The navigation-related data and the image data may be compared to determine whether the navigation data may be trusted or not. If untrusted, the autonomous navigation may be directed independently of the navigation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gerard Carmack, Narasimha Rao Lakkakula, Nima Sharifi Mehr
  • Patent number: 9679206
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing supplemental identification abilities to an autonomous vehicle system. The sensor unit of the vehicle may be configured to receive data indicating an environment of the vehicle, while the control system may be configured to operate the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a processing unit configured to analyze the data indicating the environment to determine at least one object having a detection confidence below a threshold. Based on the at least one object having a detection confidence below a threshold, the processor may communicate at least a subset of the data indicating the environment for further processing. The vehicle is also configured to receive an indication of an object confirmation of the subset of the data. Based on the object confirmation of the subset of the data, the processor may alter the control of the vehicle by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Wan-Yen Lo, Nathaniel Fairfield
  • Patent number: 9678507
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey system and methods for surveying an area of interest are disclosed. The system can include a plurality of docking stations positioned at predetermined locations within the area of interest, each docking station comprising a platform to support a UAV while docked at the docking station; a battery charger; and a communications interface; a plurality of UAVs distributed among the plurality of docking stations, each UAV comprising a communications interface; and a system controller comprising a processor and transmitter communicatively coupled to the plurality of UAVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LATITUDE ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Douglas, Travis Alexander Woodrow, Manu Singh, Michael Aeko Balthazar
  • Patent number: 9678199
    Abstract: Remote sensing systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The remote sensing systems may include mirrors coupled to propulsion portions of a vehicle with which the remote sensing systems are integrated. The remote sensing systems may further include light transmitters and light receivers coupled to fixed portions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald Bolden Hutson
  • Patent number: 9598106
    Abstract: When a host vehicle moves forward, a drawing arithmetic unit and a display of an ECU which display the image of the surroundings of the host vehicle display a trajectory when the host vehicle moves forward from the current position at the current steering angle and trajectories when the host vehicle is reversed from the current position at a steering angle different from the current steering angle so as to be superimposed on a bird's-eye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuka Sobue, Ryuji Okamura, Chika Morimoto, Yu Hiei
  • Patent number: 9563199
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing supplemental identification abilities to an autonomous vehicle system. The sensor unit of the vehicle may be configured to receive data indicating an environment of the vehicle, while the control system may be configured to operate the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a processing unit configured to analyze the data indicating the environment to determine at least one object having a detection confidence below a threshold. Based on the at least one object having a detection confidence below a threshold, the processor may communicate at least a subset of the data indicating the environment for further processing. The vehicle is also configured to receive an indication of an object confirmation of the subset of the data. Based on the object confirmation of the subset of the data, the processor may alter the control of the vehicle by the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, Wan-Yen Lo, Nathaniel Fairfield
  • Patent number: 9550496
    Abstract: A travel control apparatus is configured to perform an overtaking travel on a host vehicle with a vehicle travelling ahead as an overtaking target vehicle during an autonomous driving of the host vehicle. In a case where the overtaking travel starts, the apparatus determines whether or not the overtaking target vehicle accelerates during the overtaking travel. In a case where it is determined that the overtaking target vehicle accelerates, the apparatus determines whether or not a front vehicle is present in front of the overtaking target vehicle. In a case where it is determined that the front vehicle is not present, the apparatus stops the overtaking travel of the host vehicle, and in a case where it is determined that the front vehicle is present, the apparatus continues the overtaking travel of the host vehicle under a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ikuma Suzuki, Masaki Matsunaga, Tetsuya Taira
  • Patent number: 9513632
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product alerts a proximate entity of a current real-time driving mode of a vehicle. One or more processors determine a current real-time driving mode of a vehicle. The current real-time driving mode is either an autonomous mode or a manual mode. The vehicle is in the autonomous mode when being driven and controlled by an on-board computer, and the vehicle is in the manual mode when being driven and controlled by a human driver. The processor(s) generate a driving mode indicator that identifies the current real-time driving mode of the vehicle. An indicator emitter then broadcasts the driving mode indicator from the vehicle to the proximate entity, such that the driving mode indicator indicates the current real-time driving mode of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Peter K. Malkin, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 9475195
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for using a robot to simulate user motions by detecting a user, estimating a first position and orientation of the user, determining a current position of the robot, generating an initial path from the current position of the robot to a goal position based on whether the robot affects the user while travelling on the initial path, determining whether the user will traverse in response to the robot when the robot travels on the initial path, responsive to the user traversing in response to the robot, estimating a second position where the user will move when the robot is near, and generating a new path from the current position of the robot to the goal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Emrah Akin Sisbot, Akansel Cosgun
  • Patent number: 9460120
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described for providing customized trip plans. Based on information provided by a user, geo-tagged photographs, and/or travelogues, one or more travel destinations are identified. Travel paths typically taken by tourists within each of the travel destinations and stay times within those travel destinations may be determined. A customized trip plan including a travel route plan among the one or more travel destinations and recommended internal paths within each travel destination are provided to the user. A revised customized trip plan may also be provided in response to changes made to information associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Licensing Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Changhu Wang, Jiang-Ming Yang, Lei Zhang, Xin Lu
  • Patent number: 9406237
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination. One of the methods includes determining, by an electronic system in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an estimated fuel remaining in the UAV. An estimated fuel consumption of the UAV is determined. Estimated information associated with wind affecting the UAV is determined using information obtained from sensors included in the UAV. Estimated flights times remaining for a current path, and one or more alternative flight paths, are determined using the determined estimated fuel remaining, determined estimated fuel consumption, determined information associated wind, and information describing each flight path. In response to the electronic system determining that the estimated fuel remaining, after completion of the current flight path, would be below a first threshold, an alternative flight path is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: UNMANNED INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Downey, Bernard J. Michini, Joseph Moster, Donald Curry Weigel, James Ogden
  • Patent number: 9365213
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may be operable in an autonomous mode and a manual mode. A confidence threshold is accessed from a database. The confidence threshold may be associated with a particular geographic area containing the autonomous vehicle. The confidence threshold may be constant for the geographic area accessible by the autonomous vehicle. A computing device calculates a vehicle confidence level based on at least one confidence factor and compares the confidence threshold to the vehicle confidence level. The computing device generates a driving mode command for a vehicle based on the comparison. In one example, the driving mode command transitions the autonomous vehicle to the autonomous mode, if applicable, when the vehicle confidence score exceeds the confidence threshold. In one example, the driving mode command transitions the autonomous vehicle to the manual mode, if applicable, when the vehicle confidence score does not exceed the confidence threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Leon Oliver Stenneth, Vladimir Boroditsky
  • Patent number: 9227632
    Abstract: A system and method for providing path planning and generation in a manually driven vehicle that provides a steering correction for collision avoidance purposes. The method includes determining a predicted path of the vehicle based on vehicle motion sensing data and vehicle parameters. The method also includes detecting a moving object in front of the vehicle and determining if a collision between the vehicle and the object will occur if the vehicle travels along the predicted path at the current vehicle speed. The method solves a fifth-order polynomial equation to define a collision avoidance path from the current vehicle position to a waypoint a safe distance from the object and a return path from the waypoint to the lane center that the vehicle is automatically steered along.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9229450
    Abstract: A route decision system is provided to avoid an obstacle existing in a traceably moving direction for tracing a reference route from a current location of an autonomous movable body. The system computes traffic distance and a traffic width as a traffic region having a given traffic width and does not allow an obstacle to intrude in each of a plurality of moving The moving direction of the autonomous movable body is decided on the basis of the traceably moving direction and the traffic region. A speed decision device decides a moving speed allowing the autonomous movable body to stop before it collides with the obstacle in response to the braking condition of the autonomous movable body and the location and the speed of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Oshima, Kenjiro Yamamoto, Yukihiko Ono, Yoshitaka Hara
  • Patent number: 9207323
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions including wet surfaces using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle. The method also includes determining laser data points that are associated with one or more objects in the environment, and based on laser data points being unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment, identifying an indication that a surface on which the vehicle travels is wet. The method may further include receiving radar data collected for the environment of the vehicle that is indicative of a presence of the one or more objects in the environment of the vehicle, and identifying the indication that the surface on which the vehicle travels is wet further based on laser data points being unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment indicated by the radar data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dmitri Dolgov, Dave Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9205759
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes obtaining an off-board-based input speed of a vehicle system traveling along a curved segment of a first route. The off-board-based input speed is obtained from data provided by an off-board device disposed off the vehicle system. The method also includes determining a heading of the vehicle system from the data provided by the off-board device and calculating a curvature of the curved segment of the first route using the off-board-based input speed and the heading of the vehicle system while the vehicle system travels along the curved segment of the first route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Bradley Pulliam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Kevin Ray Ruybal
  • Patent number: 9199641
    Abstract: Methods and systems for construction zone object detection are described. A computing device may be configured to receive, from a LIDAR, a 3D point cloud of a road on which a vehicle is travelling. The 3D point cloud may comprise points corresponding to light reflected from objects on the road. Also, the computing device may be configured to determine sets of points in the 3D point cloud representing an area within a threshold distance from a surface of the road. Further, the computing device may be configured to identify construction zone objects in the sets of points. Further, the computing device may be configured to determine a likelihood of existence of a construction zone, based on the identification. Based on the likelihood, the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy of the vehicle; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Ian Ferguson, Dirk Haehnel, Ian Mahon
  • Patent number: 9193355
    Abstract: Methods and systems for construction zone sign detection are described. A computing device may be configured to receive a 3D point cloud of a vicinity of a road on which a vehicle is travelling. The 3D point cloud may include points corresponding to light reflected from objects in the vicinity of the road. The computing device may be configured to determine a set of points representing an area at a given height from a surface of the road, and estimate a shape associated with the set of points. Further, the computing device may be configured to determine a likelihood that the set of points represents a construction zone sign, based on the estimated shape. Based on the likelihood, the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Ian Ferguson, Dirk Haehnel
  • Patent number: 9092677
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for recognizing the location of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a landmark recognition unit, a distance recognition unit, and a vehicle location calculation unit. The landmark recognition unit receives information about images of landmarks, indicated around a road in a direction in which the vehicle is traveling, from an image sensor, and recognizes a reference landmark closest to the vehicle based on the image information. The distance recognition unit collects values of distances to the reference landmark from the range sensor. The vehicle location calculation unit calculates the final location of the vehicle based on basic information about the reference landmark and the distance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyoung-Wook Min, Jeong-Dan Choi
  • Patent number: 9081384
    Abstract: An autonomous electronic apparatus and a navigation method thereof are provided. The navigation method includes the following steps. Firstly, a calling signal from a target is received through a wireless sensor network. A position relationship between the target and the autonomous electronic apparatus is analyzed to generate a first speed. Next, an image set is captured and an image relationship between the image set and the target is analyzed to generate a second speed. Afterwards, a weighting value related to the position relationship is calculated. Besides, a moving speed is calculated according to the weighting value, the first speed and the second speed, and a moving status of the autonomous electronic apparatus moving toward the target is controlled via the moving speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Kai-Tai Song, Shang-Chun Hung
  • Patent number: 9056395
    Abstract: Methods and systems for construction zone sign detection are described. A computing device may be configured to receive a 3D point cloud of a vicinity of a road on which a vehicle is travelling. The 3D point cloud may include points corresponding to light reflected from objects in the vicinity of the road. The computing device may be configured to determine a set of points representing an area at a given height from a surface of the road, and estimate a shape associated with the set of points. Further, the computing device may be configured to determine a likelihood that the set of points represents a construction zone sign, based on the estimated shape. Based on the likelihood, the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Ian Ferguson, Dirk Haehnel
  • Patent number: 9037338
    Abstract: Based on initial position information on an instructed fixed switch-back point and position information on a loading point, a relative positional relationship between the loading point and the switch-back point is generated. If the position of the loading point moves, then based on position information on the position-moved loading point, information on a direction of an unmanned vehicle at the loading point and information on a relative positional relationship, a new switch-back point is set at a position where the relative positional relationship can be maintained. When the initial position of the switch-back point is instructed, then on the basis of the initial position information on the switch-back point, a driving path leading to the loading point via the instructed switch-back point is generated and, when the position of the loading point moves, a driving path leading to the position-moved loading point via the new switch-back point is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Osagawa, Tomonori Ozaki, Koji Takeda, Takashi Hiranaka
  • Patent number: 9037294
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a robot cleaner having an improved travel pattern and a control method thereof. The robot cleaner performs cleaning using zigzag travel as a basic cleaning traveling manner, and then performs cleaning using random travel as a finishing cleaning traveling manner so as to clean areas skipped during the zigzag travel. The robot cleaner performs the zigzag travel while maintaining a designated interval with a travel route proceeding to a wall regardless of a direction proceeding to the wall, and employs an improved zigzag travel method to maintain a zigzag travel pattern, if the robot cleaner senses an obstacle during the zigzag travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Ram Chung, Jae Man Joo, Dong Won Kim, Jun Hwa Lee, Jun Pyo Hong, Jae Young Jung, Kyung Hwan Yoo, Hwi Chan Jang
  • Publication number: 20150134185
    Abstract: A method of generating an optimum parking path of an unmanned driving vehicle which is performed by a controller in the unmanned driving vehicle, wherein the controller changes a moving distance for a plurality of operations in a reference parking path, finds a parking path in which an average obstacle distance, which is an average distance between at least one near-to-path obstacle and the unmanned driving vehicle, is longest among a plurality of candidate parking paths, and sets the parking path having the longest average obstacle distance, as an optimum parking path in response to the longest average obstacle distance being longer than a predetermined limited distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Han LEE
  • Publication number: 20150127209
    Abstract: The bird repellent system is particularly adapted to repel various species of birds on and around airports, but may be readily adapted for use in other environments where birds have become a nuisance or hazard. The system includes both a ground vehicle and an airborne vehicle to optimize the effect against both sitting birds and birds in flight. Both vehicles are unmanned and operate autonomously, or by remote control as drones. The airborne vehicle is preferably a quad rotor craft for very slow and hovering flight. Both vehicles are equipped with GPS guidance and are preprogrammed to travel about a predetermined area or route. The two vehicles communicate with one another for optimum effect. Both vehicles include audio systems to broadcast startling sounds and/or bird distress cries in sound frequencies audible to humans as well as in ultrasonic frequencies known to be audible to various species of birds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: AHMED Z. AL-GARNI, WAEL G. ABDELRAHMAN
  • Patent number: 9026302
    Abstract: A robot configured to navigate a surface, the robot comprising a movement mechanism; a logical map representing data about the surface and associating locations with one or more properties observed during navigation; an initialization module configured to establish an initial pose comprising an initial location and an initial orientation; a region covering module configured to cause the robot to move so as to cover a region; an edge-following module configured to cause the robot to follow unfollowed edges; a control module configured to invoke region covering on a first region defined at least in part based at least part of the initial pose, to invoke region covering on least one additional region, to invoke edge-following, and to invoke region covering cause the mapping module to mark followed edges as followed, and cause a third region covering on regions discovered during edge-following.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Stout, Gabriel Francis Brisson, Enrico Di Bernardo, Paolo Pirjanian, Dhiraj Goel, James Philip Case, Michael Dooley
  • Patent number: 9026301
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the automated delivery of goods form one to another using a robotic tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug or cart stores an electronic map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes both wired and wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Spencer Wayne Allen, Barry Mark Skirble, Henry F. Thorne, Stuart Fairley
  • Publication number: 20150120126
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a plurality of vehicles to affect positioning of a common payload. The system comprises of multiple vehicles having positioners to change the location of the common payload, where the group of vehicles form a swarm that is controlled by a driver or pilot station. Each vehicle is autonomously stabilized and guided through a swarm electronics unit, which further includes sensor, communication, and processing hardware. At the driver or pilot station, a system or a person remotely enters payload destinations, which is processed and communicated to each vehicle. The method for controlling a multi-vehicle system includes inputting the desired location of the payload and determining a series of intermediary payload waypoints. Next, these payload waypoints are used by the swarm waypoint controller to generate individual waypoints for each vehicle. A controller for each vehicle moves the vehicle to these individual waypoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Wilfred SO, Justin EICHEL, Linda VU, Peter SZABO
  • Patent number: 9020681
    Abstract: A method of displaying navigation limits for a planned travel route of a vehicle is presented here. The method calculates estimated navigation limits for the vehicle using an onboard subsystem of the vehicle, where the estimated navigation limits represent self-assessed navigation accuracy of the vehicle relative to the planned travel route. Contracted navigation limits are acquired for the vehicle, where the contracted navigation limits represent specified navigation accuracy of the vehicle, relative to the planned travel route, as mandated by a third party navigation controller. A navigation display is rendered on an onboard display element such that it includes graphical representations of the planned travel route, at least one of the estimated navigation limits, and at least one of the contracted navigation limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Petr Krupansky, Jiri Vasek, Pavel Kolcarek, Tomas Neuzil, John A. Wise
  • Patent number: 9020876
    Abstract: A method of on-demand suggestion for vehicle driving which includes: providing a centralized vehicle driving knowledgebase containing previously-stored information pertaining to vehicle driving situations; responsive to a request for information pertaining to navigating a particular road situation, collecting current parameters pertaining to a current vehicle driving situation; providing the current parameters to the centralized vehicle driving knowledgebase; evaluating the current parameters with respect to the information previously stored in the centralized vehicle driving knowledgebase; and providing at least one suggestion to a vehicle for navigating the particular road situation. Also included is a computer program product for providing an on-demand suggestion for vehicle driving and a vehicle helping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9020682
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile body includes a laser range sensor and an electronic control device. The electronic control device includes a storage unit that stores a size D2 of the autonomous mobile body, a width identification unit that identifies a spatial size D1 in a width direction of a passage which is a region where the autonomous mobile body can move, a calculation unit that calculates a size D8 of an interfering obstacle in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a moving target direction on a road surface based on obstacle information, an action selection unit that selects a stopping action or a retreat action based on the spatial size D1, the size D2 of the autonomous mobile body, and the size D8 of the interfering obstacle, and a mobile control unit that controls the autonomous mobile body to stop when the stopping action is selected and control the autonomous mobile body to retreat when the retreat action is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Shitamoto, Tsuyoshi Nakano, Toshiki Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 9014902
    Abstract: A system and method of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that is capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path while maintaining a desired takt time such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: Christopher John Murphy
  • Patent number: 9008889
    Abstract: Topographical data for a work location is created and information on a new travel route is generated. Next, a work location including the new travel route is constructed on the basis of the created topographical data. Then, the information on the new travel route generated is provided to the vehicle, the vehicle is made to travel along said new travel route in accordance with temporary travel control data, and actual topographical data for the new travel route is acquired. Next, the aforementioned temporary travel control data is corrected on the basis of the acquired actual topographical data for the new travel route. After that, the unmanned vehicle is made to travel in accordance with the corrected travel control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Osagawa, Tomonori Ozaki, Koji Takeda, Takashi Hiranaka
  • Patent number: 9008914
    Abstract: In the present invention, when a solid object is recognized in the direction of movement of an own vehicle, in a system which carries out driving support of a vehicle, turning control of the vehicle is carried out in order to avoid a collision with the solid object. However, the execution of the turning control is permitted, in cases where a distance between the position of the own vehicle under turning control and the position of the solid object in an entire range of a turning control zone continuous between a predetermined control starting point at which the turning control of the own vehicle is started and a predetermined control ending point at which the turning control ends becomes equal to or less than a predetermined avoidance distance at which it is determined to avoid the collision with the solid object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomonori Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9008890
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may include a stuck condition detection component and a communications component. The stuck-detection component may be configured to detect a condition in which the autonomous vehicle is impeded from navigating according to a first trajectory. The communications component may send an assistance signal to an assistance center and receive a response to the assistance signal. The assistance signal may include sensor information from the autonomous vehicle. The assistance center may include a communications component and a trajectory specification component. The communications component may receive the assistance signal and send a corresponding response. The trajectory specification component may specify a second trajectory for the autonomous vehicle and generate the corresponding response that includes a representation of the second trajectory. The second trajectory may be based on the first trajectory and may ignore an object that obstructs the first trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Seth Herbach, Nathaniel Fairfield, Dmitri Dolgov, Peter Colijn, Andrew Chatham
  • Patent number: 9008888
    Abstract: Determination of a most efficient intermediate destination while traveling toward a primary destination is provided. With respect to its effect on the primary destination, the most efficient intermediate destination such as a fast-food restaurant, gas station, ATM, etc., may be determined. The navigation system may search in a user-defined radius for all intermediate destinations and present the deviation costs associated with each destination thereby allowing the user to choose the most efficient option. The deviation costs may be determined by the navigation system with respect to user preferences for minimizing time, minimizing distance, minimizing fuel consumption, restaurant preferences, and the like, and their impact on the primary destination arrival time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Gravino, Michael Lee Poffenberger
  • Patent number: 9002566
    Abstract: A visual, GNSS and INS (gyro) system for autosteering control uses crop row and furrow row edge visual detection in an agricultural application in order to closely track the actual crop rows. Alternatively, previous vehicle tracks can be visually detected and followed in a tramline following operating mode. GNSS and inertial (gyroscopic) input subsystems are also provided for supplementing the video input subsystem, for example when visual references are lost. Crop damage is avoided or at least minimized by avoiding overdriving the existing crops. Other applications include equipment control in logistics operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: AgJunction, LLC
    Inventors: John A. McClure, Steven R. Miller
  • Patent number: 8994776
    Abstract: A telepresence robot uses a series of connectible modules and preferably includes a head module adapted to receive and cooperate with a third party telecommunication device that includes a display screen. The module design provides cost advantages with respect to shipping and storage while also allowing flexibility in robot configuration and specialized applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: CrossWing Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Sutherland, Sam Coulombe, Dale Wick
  • Patent number: 8996227
    Abstract: A power control system for controlling a power network of a hybrid electrical vehicle, is provided. The power control system includes a power generating unit, one or more energy storage units coupled to a power converting unit, an electrical load. The power control system further includes a control logic module for controlling the power generating unit and the power converting unit. The control logic module is configured to identify a power demand from the electrical load and to select the power generating unit or one of the one or more energy storage units to control a voltage level of the power network based on the identified power demand, based on electrical characteristics of the power generating unit, of the power converting unit, and of the electrical load, and based on a current mode of operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Sisk, Qi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8996224
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may determine that a speed of the autonomous vehicle is less than or equal to a threshold speed, and that the autonomous vehicle has not detected a traffic control signal. The autonomous vehicle may identify a cause C for the speed to be less than or equal to the threshold speed. The autonomous vehicle may start a timer T that is based on the cause C. After the timer T expires, the autonomous vehicle may determine whether the cause C remains as a cause for the speed to be less than or equal to the threshold speed. After determining that the cause C remains the cause for the speed to be less than or equal to the threshold speed, the autonomous vehicle may send an assistance signal indicating a stuck condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Seth Herbach, Nathaniel Fairfield
  • Patent number: 8989948
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sea state prediction and autonomous navigation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a method of predicting a future sea state including generating a sequence of at least two 3D images of a sea surface using at least two image sensors, detecting peaks and troughs in the 3D images using a processor, identifying at least one wavefront in each 3D image based upon the detected peaks and troughs using the processor, characterizing at least one propagating wave based upon the propagation of wavefronts detected in the sequence of 3D images using the processor, and predicting a future sea state using at least one propagating wave characterizing the propagation of wavefronts in the sequence of 3D images using the processor. Another embodiment includes a method of autonomous vessel navigation based upon a predicted sea state and target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Terrance L. Huntsberger, Arturo Rankin, Hrand Aghazarian, Andrew B. Howard, Rene Felix Reinhart
  • Patent number: 8989946
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a method for generating an area coverage path plan using sector decomposition. A starting point is identified on a worksite map having a number of landmarks. A first landmark in the number of landmarks is identified. A path is generated around the first landmark until an obstacle is detected. In response to detecting the obstacle, the path is made linear to a next landmark. The path is generated around the next landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 8989947
    Abstract: A SONAR system for use with a robotic vacuum having SONAR emitters and receivers thereon. The SONAR system comprises a waveguide or horn located in front of the emitters and receivers that can improve the overall target resolution and reduce the number of “dead zones” where targets are not easily resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas James Wethern
  • Patent number: 8989939
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including: a step of calculating a reference value Itag_b; a step of performing a first Pchg calculating process when a SOC at present is not in a predetermined range or speed V of a vehicle is smaller than a threshold value, or when a target value Itag is not less than the reference value Itag_b; and a step of performing a second Pchg calculating process when the SOC at present is in the predetermined range between SOC(1) and SOC(2) and the speed V of the vehicle is not less than the threshold value V(0), and when the target value Itag is smaller than the reference value Itag_b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150081156
    Abstract: An autonomous controller for a vehicle. The controller has a processor configured to receive position signals from position sensors and to generate operation control signals defining an updated travel path for the vehicle. The controller has a programmable interface providing communication among the position sensors, the operation control mechanisms, and the processor. The controller is configured to normalize inputs to the processor from the position sensors and to generate compatible operation control signals applied as the inputs to the operation control mechanisms. The processor and the programmable interface define a self-contained unit configurable for operation with a variety of different remote sensors and different remote operation control mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: GRAY & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Trepagnier, Jorge Emilio Nagel, Matthew Taylor Dooner, Michael Thomas Dewenter, Neil Michael Traft, Sergey Drakunov, Powell Kinney, Aaron Lee
  • Patent number: 8983661
    Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner, a controlling method of the same, and a robot cleaning system. The robot cleaner can perform a cleaning operation with respect to only a user's desired region, in a repeated and concentrated manner. Further, as the robot cleaner runs on a user's desired region in a manual manner, a designated region can be precisely set. Further, as the robot cleaner performs a cleaning operation by setting a user's desired region, only a simple configuration is added to a terminal device such as a remote control unit. Accordingly, additional costs can be reduced, and a malfunction can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ilsoo Cho, Taebum Kwon, Suuk Choe
  • Patent number: 8983679
    Abstract: A movement trajectory generator 1 that generates a movement trajectory of a vehicle is provided, which includes traveling environment recognition means 10, 11, and 21 for recognizing a traveling environment, movement strategy generation means 22 for generating movement strategies for positioning in a road area according to the traveling environment that is recognized by the traveling environment recognition means, presenting means 12, 23, and 27 for presenting a passenger setting information of the movement strategies, setting means 12 and 28 for receiving an operation for the passenger to set the movement strategies based on the setting information of the movement strategies presented by the presenting means, and movement trajectory generation means 29 for generating the movement trajectory based on the movement strategies set by the setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitahama, Shinya Kawamata, Toshiyuki Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8965619
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transporting items in a storage and retrieval system is provided. The autonomous transport vehicle includes at least two drive wheels and a controller, where each drive wheel is independently driven and a drive wheel encoder is disposed adjacent each drive wheel. The controller, in communication with the drive wheel encoders, is configured to determine a kinematic state of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage and retrieval system based on incremental data from the drive wheel encoders only and independent of drive wheel slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Stephen C. Toebes, Forrest Buzan, Andrew Eccles
  • Patent number: 8965623
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for attending to an environmental condition by an electronic cleaning device. A computer receives one or more data signals from one or more sensors through a network, with each of the one or more sensors associated with a physical location. The computer determines that due to an environmental condition a signal strength of the one or more data signals received from the one or more sensors is out of a threshold value range. The computer determines an optimal route from a current location of the electronic cleaning device to the one or more physical locations of the one or more sensors associated with the one or more data signals experiencing signal strength out of the threshold value range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit