Course To Intercept Patents (Class 701/302)
  • Patent number: 7885766
    Abstract: A vehicle departure determination apparatus includes: an object detection device which detects objects present in a direction of travel of a subject vehicle, and detects a relative position and relative speed of the objects and the subject vehicle; a running state detection device which detects a running state of the subject vehicle; a speed detection device which detects a speed of the subject vehicle; an oncoming vehicle determination device which determines whether any of the objects serving as oncoming vehicles for the subject vehicle are present, based on the relative speed detected by the object detection device, and the speed of the subject vehicle detected by the speed detection device; and a departure determination device which determines whether or not the subject vehicle has departed from an appropriate route for the subject vehicle, or the oncoming vehicle has departed from an appropriate route for the oncoming vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Sugimoto, Yoshihiro Urai
  • Patent number: 7873438
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus capable of moving or acting autonomously while flexibly avoiding contact with a moving object in accordance with various situations is provided. In a case where a second safety condition is not satisfied because, e.g., a first target trajectory cannot be found, a second target trajectory causing a first spatial element to approach the boundary of an element passing region is searched for and determined. A robot autonomously approaches the boundary of the passable region in accordance with the second target trajectory determined as a provisional target trajectory, and stops at the position corresponding to the end point of the second target trajectory. Such movement of the robot along the second target trajectory increases the space, making it possible to prompt an object to move through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7869947
    Abstract: A navigation system and method having a function of alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving comprises means 102 for determining a position of a vehicle 300, means 107 for calculating a driving route of the vehicle 300, means 108 for determining a driving manoeuvre in accordance with the predetermined driving route 305, means 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting indications relating to the determined driving manoeuvre to a driver of the vehicle 300, and means 109 for alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving including means 201 for detecting a potential wrong way driving situation and means 202, 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting an indication relating to the potential wrong way driving situation to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Harmut Schirmer, Karl-Friedrich Rauterberg
  • Publication number: 20100312476
    Abstract: A method of navigating to a destination is provided. The method includes but is not limited to determining a target course for a moving target device using target positioning data and generating an intercept course using the target course and intercept positioning data received from an intercept device. The intercept course intersects the target course at a destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: JAY J. MUELLER, MATTHEW D. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20100274487
    Abstract: Route search planner methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a probability map can be generated from previous sensor scans combined with a projected target location of relocatable targets in a target area. A route can be generated by a route generator, based at least in part on the probability map, and based on optimal system performance capabilities utilized to search for at least one of the relocatable targets. A search manager can then assign an evaluation criteria value to the route based on route evaluation criteria, and compare the evaluation criteria value to other evaluation criteria values corresponding to respective previously generated routes to determine an optimal route. The search manager can then determine whether to generate one or more additional routes and assign additional evaluation criteria values for comparison to determine the optimal route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Michael G. Neff, Shirley N. Cheng, Ted L. Johnson, Chang-Shaung R. Lee
  • Patent number: 7818127
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for at least semi-autonomously controlling a vehicle so as to avoid collisions are provided. A sensor is utilized to scan an area proximate the vehicle for a potential object of collision. The apparatus calculates navigational states of the potential object of collision relative to the vehicle to determine that the vehicle is on a course to enter within a predetermined miss distance relative to the potential object of collision. The apparatus alters the course of the vehicle based on the calculated navigational states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Geneva Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Craig S. Askew
  • Patent number: 7797108
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a rearward traveling host vehicle, and by an operator, in a preferred embodiment includes an object locator sub-system configured to determine at least one condition for a plurality of objects, wherein the objects include infrastructure, appurtenances, and remotely traveling equipped vehicles, and pedestrians, a intra-vehicle condition sensor, and a control unit configured to assess collision threats based on the object and host vehicle condition data, and alert the operator or autonomously cause a braking mechanism to be actuated, when a collision is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald K. Grimm
  • Patent number: 7788034
    Abstract: One popular military aircraft mission is to meet or rendezvous with another aircraft. Presently used systems have limitations in rendezvous distance, low accuracy of computed rendezvous intercept position, and wrong results in special rendezvous scenarios such in polar regions or on a collision path. The present invention makes use of a numerical algorithm to accurately compute the rendezvous interception position with a preselected tolerance/resolution. The algorithm makes no assumption of angles and uses a proven Sodanos equation to compute a distance between two points on the earth or to compute a second position away from a first position at a known distance and bearing. Using the invention, the rendezvous intercept position can be computed with greater accuracy and a further distance in any region of the globe than the prior art methods and can be used even if the aircraft are in a rendezvous or collision/chasing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Tien D. Bui
  • Patent number: 7778753
    Abstract: A vehicle operation assist system includes as assist yaw rate calculator which calculates a necessary moving amount to avoid an obstacle based on a detection result of the obstacle by a radar device, and a vehicle movement controller controls lateral movement of the vehicle based on the calculated moving amount. When an avoiding operation detector determines initiation of an obstacle avoiding operation by the driver, the vehicle movement controller operates a braking device to control the lateral movement of the vehicle, so that the obstacle can be reliably avoided. When a restoring operation detector determines initiation of a restoring operation, the vehicle movement controller operates a power steering device to control the lateral movement of the vehicle, so that delay in the steering operation by the driver, and excessive restoring operation of the steering handle to compensate for the delay are suppressed, thus stabilizing vehicle behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fujiwara, Mitsuharu Kanaboshi, Yasushi Shoda
  • Publication number: 20100198514
    Abstract: A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to transition from a terminal homing mode to a target search mode, responsive to an uplink signal and/or an autonomous determination of scene change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Carlos Thomas Miralles
  • Patent number: 7768427
    Abstract: Vehicular traffic data is obtained using a traffic sensor having an antenna/transceiver module, a DSP and a microcomputer. This involves (a) transmitting radiation at a vehicles on a roadway; (b) receiving the radiation reflected back from the vehicles; (c) producing a stream of electrical signals based on the radiation reflected back from the vehicles; (d) processing the stream of electrical signals using the DSP to determine if a vehicle detection threshold is met, and, if the vehicle detection threshold is met, to determine an initial vehicle position; (e) when the vehicle detection threshold is met, generating a first signal representing the initial vehicle position using the DSP; (f) transmitting the first signal to the microcomputer; (g) deriving a first traffic information signal from the first signal using the microcomputer; (h) transmitting the first traffic information signal to an external traffic management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Image Sensign Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Manor
  • Patent number: 7761196
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for determining bearing using ADS-B and TCAS standard reply bearing estimates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining bearing based upon ADS-B signals includes receiving ADS-B signals and standard transponder reply signals. A first bearing estimate is based on the ADS-B signal. A second bearing estimate is based on the standard transponder reply signals. A database is developed according to the first and second bearing estimates via the ADS-B and standard transponder reply signals. In one embodiment, where ADS-B signals are unavailable, associated ADS-B signals associated with the standard transponder reply previously stored in the database are used to determine bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ruy L. Brandao, Ruy C. Brandao, Sr., Christine M. Haissig, John Weed, Eric A. Euteneuer
  • Patent number: 7751975
    Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Sheng Zhong, Raghavan Venugopal, Tiegang Xie, Fajie Sun, Sangmesh Reddy, Brijesh Rai Chawla, Balaraju Banna, Shyamnath Harinath
  • Patent number: 7739035
    Abstract: This method allows the calculation, using a terrain elevation database, of a map of the distances of the points accessible to a mobile object subjected to dynamic constraints evolving with its time of travel, for example an aircraft having an imposed vertical flight profile, the distances being measured solely according to paths achievable by the mobile object. It implements a propagation-based distance transform which catalogs the achievable paths going from a goal point whose distance is to be estimated to a source point which is the origin of the distance measurements and likens the distance of the goal point to the length of the shortest achievable path or paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Elias Bitar, Nicolas Marty
  • Patent number: 7734416
    Abstract: The automatic vehicle braking device is equipped with a braking force control processing portion which, based on the judgment result of a collision judgment processing portion and the judgment result of a steering avoidance judgment processing portion, imparts a turning property in a direction of head-on collision to the vehicle when the lateral position of the obstacle with respect to a travel route curve is large in a condition in which the driver is unconscious of a high possibility of collision between the vehicle and the obstacle and has taken no steering avoidance action yet. As a result, it is possible to reduce the speed of the vehicle and, at the same time, mitigate the damage suffered by the vehicle occupants at the time of collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuto Yano, Shinji Taniguchi, Yuji Shimizu, Atsushi Yuyama
  • Patent number: 7729708
    Abstract: Provided is a computer system and methods for directing mobile peer devices. A method includes receiving an itinerary identifying one or more goals for the peer devices; receiving a priority associated with the itinerary, the priority identifying at least one goal of the one or more goals, the priority listing the at least one goal in order of importance; determining a routing in accordance with the itinerary and the priority; and broadcasting the routing. A computer system includes a routing module coupled to a memory configurable to determine a routing based on priorities and itinerary goals; a receiver coupled to a processor configurable to receive the priorities and the itinerary goals from at least two peer devices over a wireless connection; and a transmitter coupled to the processor configurable to broadcast the routing to the peer devices, the routing configurable to direct the peer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7729859
    Abstract: A driving assistance system for regulating an operation of a vehicle in a discrete manner according to different ranges of risk potentials associated with the vehicle, such that different risk potentials in different ranges are conveyed to the driver in a different and discrete manner. The system includes a device for calculating a risk potential associated with the vehicle, and a data processor for regulating an operation of the vehicle, such as a reaction force applied to the acceleration pedal, based on a control parameter assuming one of a plurality of values according to the calculated risk potential associated with the vehicle, wherein each of the values is assigned to one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of risk potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito
  • Patent number: 7706963
    Abstract: A probe-vehicle traffic information system for and method of gathering traffic data utilizing a host probe vehicle having onboard exterior sensors. The host vehicle is configured to detect at least one condition from at least one traveling target vehicle, aggregate and process the condition data, and report only the processed data to a traffic information center, so as to reduce the number of simultaneous communication channels typically required to report condition data from a plurality of probe vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayendra S. Parikh, Hariharan Krishnan, Martin A. Ferman
  • Patent number: 7693661
    Abstract: The present lane departure prevention system can prevent a vehicle from departing from a lane of travel, even when the vehicle tows a towed vehicle. When the towed vehicle is detected, the lane departure prevention system changes a target yaw moment from that used in normal departure avoidance control operation. The change is based on a force input to the vehicle from the towed vehicle, which is caused by carrying out departure avoidance control, thereby controlling the vehicle so as not to depart from the lane using a corrected yaw moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Iwasaka
  • Patent number: 7623967
    Abstract: A method for detecting a collision of a vehicle based on an output value of a pressure sensor for detecting change of a pressure in an interior space of the vehicle, includes: a process for calculating an environmental pressure around the vehicle; a process for correcting a pressure value determined based on the output value of the pressure sensor in accordance with the calculated environmental pressure; and a process for determining whether the corrected pressure value exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Seiya Ide
  • Patent number: 7599797
    Abstract: A method and system for mitigating risk of well collision in a field includes receiving an anti-collision standard exemption request containing a description of risk of collision between a subject well and one or more offset wells, generating an assessment of the anti-collision standard exemption request using a stored multidimensional decision matrix, reviewing the assessment, and selectively updating the decision matrix based on the review.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Benny Poedjono, Tamara San Antonio
  • Patent number: 7570156
    Abstract: The system comprises: a signaling device able to provide the driver with a sensorial alarm signal indicating a danger situation; detectors able to provide signals and/or data representing the situation outside the motor vehicle and/or the travel conditions of the vehicle itself; and electronic processing and control devices designed to analyze the signals and/or data provided by the detectors and determine the occurrence of predetermined operating situations, such as the presence of any obstacles along the travel path of the motor vehicle, and generate, under predetermined conditions and in accordance with a predefined procedure, warning signals and/or data which can be used for activating the signaling device. The signaling device comprises an electrically operated actuator associated with the accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle and able, when activated, to apply to said pedal a stress with predefined characteristics, which is perceivable by the driver's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Renzo Cicilloni, Patrizio Turco, Alessandro Gallione
  • Patent number: 7552012
    Abstract: A device for detecting objects in the blind spot on a side of vehicle includes a ranging main sensor, an auxiliary sensor, a comparison unit, and an output unit for outputting a warning signal which indicates objects in the blind spot. The detection range of the main sensor extends in the rear area of the vehicle and toward the respective vehicle side. The auxiliary sensor has a detection range which extends angularly offset to the detection range of the main sensor in the rear area of the vehicle. The comparison unit ascertains whether the detected object is a following vehicle on the basis of predefined correlations between the detection signals of the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor, and the detection unit blocks the output unit from outputting a warning signal when a following vehicle is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Philipp Lehner
  • Patent number: 7519471
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and programs display a virtual escort vehicle that appears to be driving ahead of a user's vehicle on at least one of a windshield of the user's vehicle and a display disposed in front of a driving seat of the user's vehicle and display a driving instruction for the user's vehicle based on actual driving condition information and standard driving condition information for a predetermined reference point located ahead of the current position of the user's vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yumi Shibata, Yukio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7508322
    Abstract: A current path display indicator for a display device of a vehicle. The current path display indicator includes a flight path indicator (FPI) and a visual cue associated with the FPI to indicate relative direction from the vehicle's current path to a desired path. The visual cue may be embodied in possibly a number of different ways. For example, it may be embodied as an arrow extending from a circular portion of the FPI; a highlighted segment superimposed on the circular portion of the FPI; a triangle extending from the circular portion; or, a pie-shaped marker contained within the circular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Krenz, Arlen E. Breiholz, Matthew J. Carrico, Kenneth W. Mc Elreath
  • Patent number: 7471212
    Abstract: A method and a system for guiding a vehicle are provided, which utilize information regarding the vehicle's position. The position of the vehicle is ascertained exactly to the correct lane, and for at least a part of the traffic lanes of specifiable traffic routes in the surroundings of the vehicle, the traffic situation is ascertained. An estimation of traffic lanes is undertaken in the light of specifiable criteria by the evaluation of the vehicle's position and the traffic situation, thereby enabling the driver to select the most favorable lane in terms of desired criteria, e.g., minimizing lane changes, minimizing travel time, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Krautter, Dietrich Manstetten, Bilge Manga
  • Patent number: 7447578
    Abstract: In steering control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a camera photographs a travel path in a traveling direction of a vehicle, a lateral displacement calculating circuit calculates a lateral displacement of the vehicle with respect to the travel path according to an image of the travel path photographed by the camera, a differentiator calculates a differential value of the lateral displacement, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed, a relative yaw rate calculating section calculates a relative yaw rate with respect to the travel path of the vehicle on the basis of the lateral displacement, the differential value of the lateral displacement, and the vehicle speed, an actuator provides an assistance force for the steering mechanism, and an actuator controlling section drivingly controls the actuator in a direction toward which the relative yaw rate is cancelled on the basis of the relative yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Unisia JKC Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Satoh, Masaki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20080201078
    Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods, and systems for determining and announcing proximity between trajectories. A code triggered information server may be used to track user behavior, including trajectories, via mobile devices, on the internet, or within a virtual world. Users register their positions and/or behavior by scanning or observing codes or information. Examples of such registrations might include scanning a barcode with a cell phone, clicking on an internet link, making a decision within an online game, and/or the like. The registrations, together with geographic, temporal, and user-specific information, are obtained by the server that receives, processes, and records the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Dudley Fitzpatrick, Jason Alan Snyder
  • Patent number: 7411486
    Abstract: A driver assistance device for warning a driver of a motor vehicle of a risk of departure from the lane or from the lane is described, having at least one image-transmitting sensor, an evaluation device, connected to the image-transmitting sensor, for detecting edge-of-lane and/or lane markings and/or edges of lanes in the area sensed by the image-transmitting sensor, and a warning device which is connected to the evaluation device, in which driver assistance device in addition at least one distance-transmitting sensor is connected to the evaluation device, with which sensor the distance from objects which are elevated with respect to the surface of the lane can be determined in the region of the edge of the lane, in particular of a structural boundary of the edge of the lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Axel Gern, Alfred Lotter, Rainer Moebus, Volker Oltmann, Bernd Woltermann, Zoltan Zomotor
  • Patent number: 7391305
    Abstract: A driver warning device which serves to warn the driver when a safety-critical condition of the vehicle is reached. A warning is issued only if such issuance is to take place in accordance with a user profile. This avoids unnecessary warnings from being issued to a driver, which could reduce the acceptance of the warning system on the part of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Knoll, Andreas Engelsberg, Dietrich Manstetten, Holger Kussmann, Andre Kroehnert, Lars Placke, Marc Stoerzel, Ulrich Schweiger, Stephan Eisenlauer
  • Patent number: 7376510
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying map information on a portable computing device. When approaching a location at which maneuvering guidance is to be provided by the portable computing device, the portable computing device presents alternating images on a display screen. The alternating images include an overhead view map image and either a perspective view map image or a stylized image. The stylized image can be either a 2D image or a 3D image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Navteq North America, LLC
    Inventor: Judson Green
  • Patent number: 7375622
    Abstract: An on-vehicle alarm generation method and an on-vehicle alarm generation apparatus for notifying a driver to be aware of safe driving by detecting a passerby or a bicycle moving at a dangerous point and generating an alarm to the driver are provided. In one aspect, the on-vehicle alarm generation method for detecting a passerby and generating an alarm to a driver includes the steps of including a dangerous driving point in map data and detecting the vehicle position; monitoring whether the vehicle approaches the dangerous driving point; transmitting a searching signal when the vehicle approaches the dangerous driving point; monitoring whether, in response to the searching signal, a responsive signal is received from a mobile device carried by the passerby; and generating an alarm to the driver upon receiving the responsive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takata, Daishi Mori
  • Patent number: 7365641
    Abstract: A vehicle proximity alerting system and method is provided. The system includes: a sensor unit having a plurality of sensors for measuring distances from other vehicles; a system controlling unit for receiving measurement signals from the sensors, calculating distances from other vehicles, determining whether or not the calculated distance is less than a preset vehicle proximity distance setting value, and generating an alert signal when it is determined that the calculated distance is less than the vehicle proximity distance setting value; and an alerting unit for receiving the alert signal and alerting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Autonet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong Taeg Nou
  • Patent number: 7355510
    Abstract: A method of tracking a vehicle including receiving vehicle information at a call center from a telematics unit via a wireless network, determining whether the vehicle information is associated with a vehicle station identification for a missing vehicle on a vehicle tracking list and initiating vehicle tracking based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Rockett, Andrea K. Suurmeyer, Sateesh Kavi
  • Patent number: 7333012
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to monitor a vehicle. A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag is installed in a vehicle to transmit vehicle information to a vehicle monitor. The vehicle monitor transmits a command to the vehicle upon receipt of the vehicle information based on a vehicle condition. A controller activates a control action to a mechanism controlling the vehicle in response to the command. In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle monitor includes a field generator, an RFID reader, and a controller. The field generator generates a radio frequency (RF) field to awaken a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag installed in a vehicle driven by a driver. The RFID reader receives vehicle information transmitted by the RFID tag when the RFID tag is awaken by the field generator. The controller is communicatively coupled to the RFID reader to transmit a command to the vehicle based on the vehicle information and a vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Martin Khang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7330780
    Abstract: This invention relates to a safety system for aircraft, wherein prohibited airspaces which aircraft may not enter are marked on a digitally stored image of the airspace, wherein the aircraft is provided with an automatic control device that automatically steers the aircraft on to an alternative route, which is situated outside the prohibited airspace, when the probability that the aircraft will enter the prohibited airspace exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Diehl Avionik Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Harro Von Viebahn, Jens Schiefele
  • Patent number: 7301478
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, system and devices for monitoring road surface temperature to detect hazardous road surface conditions. An indicator provides the sensed road surface temperature and hazardous road condition warning to a driver while a tail light interface automatically produce a tail light signal to warn drivers traveling behind the vehicle when a hazardous condition is detected. In an embodiment, the system includes a vehicle engine retardation system interfaced with the hazardous road condition warning system. When the retardation system is in use and hazardous road surface conditions are detected the controller automatically produces the brake light signal unless a tail light control switch is used to manually deactivating the automatic tail light flashing signal when the vehicle is traveling in a state that does not allow alternative control of the brake lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Overland Safety Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory F. Chinn, Michael Laughead, John Toman
  • Patent number: 7274287
    Abstract: A warning and information system for a motor vehicle which outputs information that is below a conscious threshold of perception of a use, and above his or her unconscious threshold. At least one signal source located in the peripheral field of vision of the user is provided, and its output signals are variable by adjusting their color, intensity, frequency, timber, and/or loudness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Guenter Dobler, Wilhelm Kincses, Siegfried Rothe, Michael Schrauf, Sven Willmann
  • Patent number: 7242321
    Abstract: A system for locating a vehicle includes a hand-held unit with data transceiver operation to generate a location request signal. The system also includes a location element in the vehicle, which is operative upon receipt of the location request signal to determine a location of the vehicle relative to the hand-held unit. The locator element in the vehicle sends an indication of the location to the vehicle. The data transceiver in the hand-held unit is further operative to receive the indication of the location of the vehicle and to send the indication to a location indicator. Upon receipt of the indication of the location, the location indicator alerts an operator of the hand-held unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: David New, Keith B Carle, Neil L Borkowicz
  • Patent number: 7236121
    Abstract: An interceptor-based sensor clusters tracks of objects to generate track clusters based on an uncertainty associated with each track, and generates feature vectors for a cluster under test using the relative placement and the population of other track clusters. The feature vectors may include one or more of a cluster count feature vector (N), a cluster population density feature vector (P), a cluster proximity feature vector (r), a cluster-weighted centroid feature vector (L) and a cluster scattering feature vector (?). The interceptor-based sensor generates belief functions (?) from corresponding feature vectors of clusters of tracks generated from a ground-based sensor and the interceptor-based sensor. The interceptor-based sensor may also associate the tracks with a cluster having a track of interest identified by a ground-based sensor based on the belief functions and may select one of the tracks for intercept of a corresponding object within the threat object cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Timothy E. Caber
  • Patent number: 7228233
    Abstract: A driving assistance system for regulating an operation of a vehicle in a discrete manner according to different ranges of risk potentials associated with the vehicle, such that different risk potentials in different ranges are conveyed to the driver in a different and discrete manner. The system includes a device for calculating a risk potential associated with the vehicle, and a data processor for regulating an operation of the vehicle, such as a reaction force applied to the acceleration pedal, based on a control parameter assuming one of a plurality of values according to the calculated risk potential associated with the vehicle, wherein each of the values is assigned to one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of risk potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito
  • Patent number: 7215254
    Abstract: When a driving assistance system of a navigation device in a subject vehicle is able to communicate with a cooperative remote driving assistance system in an oncoming vehicle, images are obtained from individual front monitor cameras of the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. These obtained images are exchanged. From within these images, common objects are recognized to thereby compute a positional relationship between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. The computed positional relationship is then shown in a display unit by a vehicular model using an outline of a top view of a vehicle. Consequently, a driver can intuitively recognize the positional relationship between the subject vehicle and the oncoming vehicle by seeing the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Nobutaka Tauchi
  • Patent number: 7164350
    Abstract: A back up alarm system for a vehicle including a sensor for generating a vehicle motion status signal with a vehicle reverse gear engaged. The vehicle motion status signal includes a base electrical signal when the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle motion status signal includes a threshold electrical signal when the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and receives the vehicle motion status signal from the sensor. The controller activates a first alarm in response to the base electrical signal including at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal. In response to the threshold electrical signal, the controller activates a second alarm including at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Triodyne Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Ferrone, Charles Sinkovits
  • Patent number: 7142130
    Abstract: In a driving support system for a vehicle for determining the possibility that an estimated running vector of a moving object will intersect with an estimated running vector of a host vehicle using mobile communication, the possibility is three-dimensionally determined based on information obtained through mobile communication and image information on an area ahead of the host vehicle, which is obtained by image capturing means mounted on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 7093801
    Abstract: A positioning system, device, and method are provided to facilitate the in-flight positioning of two aircraft relative to one another such that a second aircraft is guided to an in-flight refueling position relative to a first aircraft. The system, device, and method of the present invention provide a signal emitted from a positioning device carried by the first aircraft, wherein the signal defines a signal envelope containing the in-flight refueling position. The signal is adapted to be receivable by the second aircraft such that the signal may guide the second aircraft to the in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven B. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7088262
    Abstract: A method of operating a display system in a vehicle (03) for finding a suitable parking place (06) with at least one camera (01) with which an observation area in the vicinity of the vehicle (03) can be recorded, with an image processing unit in which the image data coming from a camera (03) can be processed and a display screen (02) in the interior of the vehicle on which the image data coming from the image processing unit can be displayed as an image (07). A parking place symbol (08, 18, 20) is superimposed by the image processing unit on the current image (07) on the display screen (02), symbolizing true to scale an area in the current image (07) which the vehicle (03) can reach in parking, starting from its current position, taking into account the properties of the vehicle, in particular the size of the vehicle and the maximum steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Donnelly Hohe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benno Tobias Schindler, Tim Weis
  • Patent number: 7085633
    Abstract: In system and method for improving operator driving assistance of an automotive vehicle, at an indication of acceleration timing and magnitude and the lane change timing, a lane change necessity is calculated and a lane change trigger signal is produced while the host vehicle is operated on a road that has at least three lanes and, at the calculation of the lane change necessity and at the production of the lane change signal, a new lane change trigger signal is prohibited to indicate until a forward lane change operation is deemed to be completed, in a case where the vehicle is traveling on a multiple number traffic lane road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Nishira, Taketoshi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7061402
    Abstract: An emergency vehicle warning system comprising a transmitter unit positioned within an emergency vehicle, and a receiver unit positioned within a passenger vehicle, wherein upon receipt of a radio frequency activation signal from the transmitter unit, an electronic chime within the receiver unit emits an audible alert, and thereby warns the driver of the passenger vehicle of the approaching emergency vehicle. The receiver unit additionally displays the relative position of the emergency vehicle upon a display panel. The receiver unit is additionally activated by sound waves associated with the siren of the emergency vehicle. The warning system alerts the driver to the approaching emergency vehicle before hearing the siren of the emergency vehicle, and thereby provides enough time for the driver of the passenger vehicle to safely pull over to the side of the road in order to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Lawson
  • Patent number: 7057499
    Abstract: In a communication system for communicating between moving objects in which a moving object determines the peripheral state based on moving object information transmitted and received using communication between moving objects, accuracy level information regarding the apparatus provided in the transmitting moving object is included in moving object information. Further, a vehicular driving support apparatus that transmits moving object information using communication between moving objects includes accuracy level information regarding the apparatus provided in a host vehicle in moving object information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kanemitsu
  • Patent number: 6997097
    Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for planning a mission profile in real time on board a platform or a vehicle dispensed from a platform. In general, the mission planning technique includes ascertaining a plurality of target information, including a target location, a target velocity, and a target location error. This is followed by an autonomous determination of a pattern from the ascertained target information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: William V. Harding