Object Tracking Patents (Class 701/519)
  • Patent number: 11910742
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a moving robot, a moving robot system, and a method for moving to a charging system of the moving robot, wherein the moving robot moves to the charging system based on a reception result obtained by receiving a plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the charging station and a sensing result obtained by sensing a magnetic field state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyoungsuk Ko, Byungjin Kim, Sungwook Lee, Hyungsub Lee, Koh Choi
  • Patent number: 11867143
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing a vehicle safety lock assembly are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Guadalupe Ramon Gil Vera
  • Patent number: 11866001
    Abstract: The technology relates to detection of aberrant driving situations during operation of a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. Aberrant situations may include potential theft or unsafe conditions, which are determined according to one or more signals. The signals are derived from information detected about the environment around the vehicle, such as from one or more sensors disposed on the vehicle. In response to an aberrant situation, the vehicle may take various corrective action, such as rerouting, locking down the vehicle or communicating with remote assistance. The type of corrective action taken may depend on a type of cargo being transported or whether one or more passengers are in the vehicle. If there are passengers, the system may communicate with the passengers via the passenger's client computing devices or by presenting visual or audible information via a user interface system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Vijaysai Patnaik
  • Patent number: 11801836
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to collect operation data of one or more components of a vehicle, input the collected operation data and previously stored operation data to a first machine learning program that assigns the collected operation data to one of a plurality of previously determined paths and outputs a target fuel consumption rate of the vehicle based on the assigned path, input the target fuel consumption rate and the collected operation data to a second machine learning program that outputs a plurality of operation settings of the one or more components to attain the target fuel consumption rate, and actuate the one or more components to attain the plurality of operation settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Wang, Chen Zhang, Rebecca Kreucher
  • Patent number: 11691521
    Abstract: Vehicles can be equipped to operate in both autonomous and occupant piloted mode. Refueling stations can be equipped to refuel autonomous vehicles without occupant assistance. Refueling stations can be equipped with a fueling control computer that communicates with vehicles via wireless networks to move vehicles between waiting zones, service zones and served zones. Refueling stations can include liquid fuel, compressed gas and electric charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Shiqi Qiu, Oliver Lei, Jayanthi Rao, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11619494
    Abstract: A system and a method for tracking an expanded state of an object including a kinematic state indicative of a position of the object and an extended state indicative of one or combination of a dimension and an orientation of the object is provided herein. The system comprises at least one sensor configured to probe a scene including a moving object with one or multiple signal transmissions to produce one or multiple measurements of the object per the transmission, and a processor configured to execute a probabilistic filter tracking a joint probability of the expanded state of the object estimated by a motion model of the object and a measurement model of the object, wherein the measurement model includes a center-truncated distribution having truncation intervals. The system further comprises an output interface configured to output the expanded state of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Pu Wang, Yuxuan Xia, Karl Berntorp, Toshiaki Koike-Akino, Hassan Mansour, Petros Boufounos, Philip Orlik
  • Patent number: 11605031
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 11605032
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 11527153
    Abstract: A traffic analysis system analyzes location data from a plurality of vehicles to determine journeys made by the vehicles. Vehicles may make one or more rest stops during a journey. The traffic analysis system compares rest periods to journey criteria to determine whether a rest period delineates the end of a journey, or whether a rest period is still within the journey. In this way, a plurality of trips can be chained together into a journey to provide more accurate analysis of traffic patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Shweta Pravinchandra Shah, Daniel J. Lewis, Jean Pilon-Bignell, Pooria Poorsarvi Tehrani, Chien An Liu, Robert Bradley, Terence Michael Branch
  • Patent number: 11474524
    Abstract: A robotic mower and method for controlling a robotic mower to a predetermined position, by means of a guide wire. The robotic mower includes a control unit and at least one sensor. At least one of the sensors detects a signal from the guide wire and follows the guide wire at a first distance that is randomly determined. The robotic mower follows the guide wire until detecting, by means of the at least one sensor, a signal from a boundary wire and then following the boundary wire at a second distance, which is randomly determined. When detecting that the signal strength from the guide wire falls outside a first predetermined threshold, the robotic mower starts following the guide wire again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stefan Strandberg
  • Patent number: 11335142
    Abstract: A traffic analysis system analyzes location data from a plurality of vehicles to determine journeys made by the vehicles. Vehicles may make one or more rest stops during a journey. The traffic analysis system compares rest periods to journey criteria to determine whether a rest period delineates the end of a journey, or whether a rest period is still within the journey. In this way, a plurality of trips can be chained together into a journey to provide more accurate analysis of traffic patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Shweta Pravinchandra Shah, Daniel J. Lewis, Jean Pilon-Bignell, Pooria Poorsarvi Tehrani, Chien An Liu, Robert Bradley, Terence Michael Branch
  • Patent number: 11312510
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling remote sensing satellites for multiple terminals and a readable storage medium. The method includes: receiving a remote sensing satellite control request sent from a terminal device by a server; calculating, by the server, an orbit of target remote sensing satellite corresponding to each remote sensing satellite control request, and judging whether the orbit of the target remote sensing satellite covers the target location in the remote sensing satellite control request corresponding to the target remote sensing satellite; if yes, determining the remote sensing satellite control request as a valid remote sensing satellite control request and controlling the target remote sensing satellite corresponding to the remote sensing satellite control request to perform a photographing task by the server; and if no, determining the remote sensing satellite control request as an invalid remote sensing satellite control request by the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Qiang Li, Chuan Lu
  • Patent number: 11265683
    Abstract: Described is a location interaction tracking system. The system includes a server storing user information including location information and a plurality of user computing devices coupled to the server. The server may be programmed to receive and store location information from a first user computing device of the plurality of user computing devices and aggregate and anonymize the location information as historical paths of travel, wherein the plurality of user computing devices is programmed to send location information at predetermined intervals. A user may use a user computing device to mark himself as a confirmed case for an infectious agent. The system may then label the aggregated, anonymized location information of the user computing device as confirmed and determine what other user computing devices have crossed within a predetermined distance of the confirmed user during a predetermined past time period and notify the users crossing paths with the confirmed user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Isgar
  • Patent number: 11263910
    Abstract: A Very Low Level Operations Coordination Platform and a method of operating it, that includes a cloud-based software platform that serves as a central database application for drone-related applications, the central database application including a database storing any, some or all zones which defines where drones are and are not allowed to fly based on all required information such as but not limited to drone legislation, airspace structure, obstacles, environment and people density, taking into account scheduled flights, planned flights and flights flown of other drones, where if the drone fails to remain within the approved fly zone the platform is adapted to proactively intervene in flight operations so that the drone cannot leave the approved fly zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: UNIFLY N.V.
    Inventors: Koen Meuleman, Andres Van Swalm, Koen Williame
  • Patent number: 11216045
    Abstract: A display system includes a head-mountable 3D display device including at least one sensor to sense an absolute position and orientation of the 3D display device. The display system includes an accessory wearable by a user. The accessory includes at least one sensor to sense a relative position and orientation of the 3D display device relative to the accessory. An absolute position and orientation of a torso of the user may be determined based on the sensed absolute position and orientation of the 3D display device and the sensed relative position and orientation of the 3D display device relative to the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ian N Robinson, Nathan Nuber
  • Patent number: 11199843
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is provided with: an executor configured to perform an automatic steering control of steering a vehicle so as to go away from an avoidance target object; a determinator configured to determine, during execution of the automatic steering control targeting a first object, whether or not a second object is detected; and a comparator configured to compare a first interval, which is an interval between the vehicle and the first object, with a second interval, which is an interval between the vehicle and the second object. The executor is configured to change the offset amount to an offset amount corresponding to the second object if the second interval is narrower than the first interval, and to maintain the offset amount at an offset amount corresponding to the first object if the second interval is wider than the first interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Sasagawa, Kazuyuki Fujita, Minami Sato
  • Patent number: 11100343
    Abstract: A driver-fatigue warning system suitable for use in an automated vehicle includes a camera, an alert-device, and a controller. The camera renders an image of a lane-marking and of an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The alert-device is operable to alert an operator of the host-vehicle of driver-fatigue. The controller is in communication with the camera and the alert-device. The controller determines a vehicle-offset of the host-vehicle relative to the lane-marking based on the image. The controller determines an offset-position of the object relative to the lane-marking based on the image. The controller determines that a lane-departure has occurred when the vehicle-offset is less than a deviation-threshold. The controller does not count occurrences of lane-departures when the offset-position is less than an offset-threshold, and activates the alert-device when the count of the occurrences of lane-departures exceeds a crossing-threshold indicative of driver-fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Premchand Krishna Prasad
  • Patent number: 11074822
    Abstract: A drone defense system (DDS) beacon detects unmanned aerial systems (UAS) traffic and transmits a broadcast signal over a transmission region indicating a no-fly zone in which only UAS having an authorization are allowed to fly. The beacon allows UAS with clearance to enter the no-fly zone. Those UAS without clearance are diverted around the no-fly zone, denied Wi-Fi and/or RF connection, forced to return to home launch sites via activation of standard preprogrammed Return to Home (RTH) routines, or forced to land at specified locations where they may be captured. Military, emergency medical services (EMS), and other UAS are allowed to enter no-fly zones in which other UAS, such as commercial, or consumer UAS, cannot enter. DDS cloud collects and stores log data from all deployed DDS beacons. DDS cloud can send system software updates to DDS beacons, make real-time statistical analysis, and provide report data to outside systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: DRONE GO HOME, LLC
    Inventors: Linda J. Ziemba, Dennis J. Ziemba, Taylor J. Sinatra, Ziang Gao
  • Patent number: 11055638
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 10953759
    Abstract: Vehicles can be equipped to operate in both autonomous and occupant piloted mode. Refueling stations can be equipped to refuel autonomous vehicles without occupant assistance. Refueling stations can be equipped with a fueling control computer that communicates with vehicles via wireless networks to move vehicles between waiting zones, service zones and served zones. Refueling stations can include liquid fuel, compressed gas and electric charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Shiqi Qiu, Oliver Lei, Jayanthi Rao, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10834736
    Abstract: A method for determining a time for scheduling wireless transfer of payload data to a first vehicle from a second vehicle. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a movement profile for each of the of vehicles; b) comparing the movement profiles; and c) dependent on the outcome of step b) determining a one or more suitable scheduling times when the vehicles are likely to be in requisite wireless proximity for the payload data transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Tim Welsch
  • Patent number: 10650466
    Abstract: A system and method for underwriting and rating insurance products using a programmed computer system to receive usage information of a vehicle within a geographic area or location, determine a target grid cell or a sequence of target grid cells bounded by latitude and longitude lines that encompass at least a portion of the geographic area where the vehicle was used, attain a set of data associated with the target grid cell(s), and calculate a location rating factor based on the usage information, target cell(s), and the set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Hayward, Scott T. Christensen, Bryan Scott Wade
  • Patent number: 10605847
    Abstract: A verification procedure is performed when a tracking device is newly installed in a vehicle. The procedure involves transmitting a command to the tracking device to either disable or enable the vehicle starter. The installer is then prompted to engage the starter to start the vehicle. The tracking device then monitors the voltages on the vehicle's ignition wire and starter disable and starter enable wires going to a starter relay. The tracking device also monitors the state of a starter relay control wire. Measurement of the proper voltages on these wires provides verification that the tracking device has been connected properly. Continuing to monitor these voltages after installation provides an indication when a driver engages the starter in an attempt to start the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Spireon, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Ollmann, Michael Callinan, Charles F. Raasch, George Clark
  • Patent number: 10538239
    Abstract: A method includes determining, by an electronic control unit, at least one characteristic of cargo that is transported by an autonomous vehicle or a semi-autonomous vehicle. The method also includes determining a driving adaptation based at least on the at least one characteristic. The driving adaptation is selected from the group including a routing adaptation, a driving style adaptation, and an internal control adaptation. The method also includes configuring the vehicle to transport the cargo based at least on the determined driving adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hardee, Maharaj Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 10494024
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is automatically forward or reverse parked into a perpendicular or transverse parking space. After the driver has stopped the motor vehicle, ahead of the parking space in a position that appears suitable to him/her for a direct parking procedure, has exited the motor vehicle and has started the method via a remote control, according to the disclosure the vehicle is automatically allowed to drive a short distance straight ahead. During the short distance of straight-ahead travel, the parking-space gateway is ascertained via an environment sensor system, from which a parking trajectory is calculated. At the end of the short distance of straight-ahead travel, the motor vehicle stops automatically and steers the front wheels into a position corresponding to the calculated parking trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Andreas Urhahne
  • Patent number: 10467484
    Abstract: A driver-fatigue warning system suitable for use in an automated vehicle includes a camera, an alert-device, and a controller. The camera renders an image of a lane-marking and of an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The alert-device is operable to alert an operator of the host-vehicle of driver-fatigue. The controller is in communication with the camera and the alert-device. The controller determines a vehicle-offset of the host-vehicle relative to the lane-marking based on the image. The controller determines an offset-position of the object relative to the lane-marking based on the image. The controller determines that a lane-departure has occurred when the vehicle-offset is less than a deviation-threshold. The controller does not count occurrences of lane-departures when the offset-position is less than an offset-threshold, and activates the alert-device when the count of the occurrences of lane-departures exceeds a crossing-threshold indicative of driver-fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Premchand Krishna Prasad
  • Patent number: 10262373
    Abstract: A system and method for underwriting and rating insurance products using a programmed computer system to receive usage information of a vehicle within a geographic area or location, determine a target grid cell or a sequence of target grid cells bounded by latitude and longitude lines that encompass at least a portion of the geographic area where the vehicle was used, attain a set of data associated with the target grid cell(s), and calculate a location rating factor based on the usage information, target cell(s), and the set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Hayward, Scott Christensen, Bryan Scott Wade
  • Patent number: 10243857
    Abstract: A method for updating multipath groups of a network device is described. A first table defining a first multipath group of multiple egress interfaces is created. A change in network path availability at one or more egress interface members of the first multipath group is identified. The first multipath group includes at least some egress interfaces that remain available and that support at least some active packet sessions. A second table defining a second multipath group is created and coexists with the first multipath group. The second multipath group includes the remaining network paths that remain available. The first multipath group and the first table are selected for forwarding a packet from the active packet sessions. The second multipath group and the second table are selected for forwarding a packet from new packet sessions that are established after the change in the path availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (M.I.S.L) Ltd.
    Inventors: Tal Mizrahi, Carmi Arad
  • Patent number: 10225392
    Abstract: A portable device is configured to provide geographic information to a head unit of a vehicle equipped with a display device. One or more processors determine a user context related to a geographic location and detect that the portable device has been communicatively coupled to the head unit of a vehicle. The one or more processors transmit to the head unit, without an express user command, a request that the head unit accept data from the portable device for output via the display device. In response to receiving an indication that that the request has been granted, the one or more processors cause information related to the geographic location to be displayed via the display device, without an express user input at the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Julian Pelly, Andrew Foster
  • Patent number: 10212265
    Abstract: A device for a vehicle for setting up a wireless communication link to a mobile apparatus. The device includes a radio device and detects time periods during which a respective mobile apparatus from group of mobile apparatuses is located within range of the radio device for setting up the wireless communication link. The device detects the respective time period for each of the mobile apparatuses within range. The device sets up the wireless communication link to at least one mobile apparatus as a function of the detected time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Simon Gerlach
  • Patent number: 10111037
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for collocation detection. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for collocation detection. The method includes obtaining a first object observation that includes a first object identifier, a first observation time, and a first observation location. The method also includes obtaining a second object observation that includes a second object identifier, a second observation time, and a second observation location. In addition, the method includes associating the first observation with a first area on a map, associating the second observation with a second area on the map, and determining whether a potential meeting occurred between objects associated with the first object identifier and the second object identifier based on the first and second observation times, and the first and second areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Palantir Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Sprague, Miklos Danka, Bill Dwyer
  • Patent number: 9930119
    Abstract: An illustrative example surveillance system designed according to an embodiment of this invention includes a plurality of cells that respectively include a surveillance network including at least one detector that is configured to detect at least one type of subject. The cells have respective detection areas within which a subject may be detected by the at least one detector of that cell. A controller of the cell determines information regarding tracking of a detected subject that is in that cell. The controller hands off tracking of the subject to a second one of the cells based upon an indication that the tracked subject is moving toward the detection area of the second one of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Adiseshu Hari, Lawrence O'Gorman
  • Patent number: 9872219
    Abstract: Methods and access devices for collecting data from sensors of a wireless sensor network include transmitting a broadcast signal by a master device which currently collects the data and detected by other access devices. Handover of data collection control from the current master access device to an alternate access device is initiated based on a result of the detection. A handover request signal is received at the master device and a handover reply is signaled to a source device of the handover request signal. The handover reply indicates the time at which data collection is handed over from the current master access device to the source device. Thereby, the master device can be changed in a flexible manner based on current environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Richard Matthew Miller-Smith
  • Patent number: 9571983
    Abstract: A method for freight vehicle monitoring includes obtaining historical telecommunications data, performing vehicle location identification using the historical telecommunications data, wherein performing the vehicle location identification comprises using a machine learning based algorithm to determine one or more meaningful vehicle locations, identifying, based on the one or more meaningful vehicle locations, if one or more telecommunications devices are those of a freight vehicle occupant, and tracking a location of the one or more telecommunications devices identified as those of a freight vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Li, Milind R. Naphade, Sambit Sahu
  • Patent number: 9552554
    Abstract: A method for target identification includes receiving, at one or more processors, a number of measurements of a target, each measurement from the number of measurements being observed at a predetermined time (zk), a number of target types (T), each one of the number of measurements, each one the number of target type and each one of one or more hidden states, each hidden state (xk) being characterized at the predetermined time, being correlated to one another, providing, using the one or more processors, a first conditional probability distribution, a conditional probability of a target type given a number of measurements, defined inductively, and obtaining an estimate of the target type from the first conditional probability. Systems that implement the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Timothy Campbell, David S. Douglas, Ryan Quiller, Gregory O. Gheen
  • Patent number: 9410818
    Abstract: According to a navigation device of the invention, at the time of performing turning guidance for a user who drives a vehicle, it is possible to perform the guidance in a way easy-to-understand for the user. Namely, a presentation of a preceding vehicle is made using an actual image or a graphic image of a vehicle that is the same as the actually seen vehicle, so that the user who drives the vehicle in traveling will understand that he/she only has to follow the preceding vehicle actually traveling ahead. This results in such route guidance that does not cause misunderstanding of a turning point and is very easy-to-understand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuaki Takimoto, Takeshi Mitsui, Takayoshi Chikuri
  • Patent number: 9320006
    Abstract: Techniques determining a categorized location of a user of a user device based at least in part on a set of location and time pairs for the user device are described herein. The set of location and time pairs for the user device include at least one location and time pair that is associated with a communication of the user device over a communication network. In some embodiments, the techniques further predict a location for the user given a specified time and based at least in part on the set of location and time pairs for the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth H. Schuler, Linda Zhao, Xianglong Kong, Michael J. Goo, Jeffrey M. Giard
  • Patent number: 9292257
    Abstract: Example systems and methods for estimating range for a vehicle are provided. In an example, a server remotely located from a vehicle receives vehicle status information from the vehicle as well as reference data from sources other than the vehicle. An estimated range for the vehicle is computed based on both the vehicle status information and the reference data, and then this estimated range is transmitted to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Aaron Williams, Mary Long, Henrik Paesler, Binh Tran, Jens Lehmann, Kim Srea Phorn, Natalia Shmoilova, Geoff Ryder, Vivek Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 9105184
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to support safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. Substantially real-time data communication provides interested parties with an ability to communicate directly with an operator of the sUAS during system operations. Individual interactive user interfaces are used to implement two way text-like messaging directly with the sUAS control console to enhance safety and reduce conflicts with operations of the sUAS. When an instance arises in which an air traffic controller needs to advise an sUAS operator regarding an unauthorized sUAS mission or a requirement to keep an sUAS clear of a specific block of airspace or specific geographic location due to an immediate, emergent and/or unforeseen event, a means is provided by which to more effectively and more quickly communicate directly with the sUAS operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ARINC Incorporated
    Inventors: Rolf Stefani, Ronald Carl Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20150149086
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for confirming that two or more individuals' participation in a carpool where acceleration datum is collected from the individuals' associated devices. The acceleration datum of the devices is compared to determine that a first individual that is associated with the first device and at least a second individual that is associated with a second device traveled together in one single vehicle for a period of time to satisfy a carpool requirement. At least one of the individuals receives a benefit or incentive of the carpool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Willaim P. Alberth, JR., Seang Yong Chau
  • Patent number: 9043146
    Abstract: An automated process uses a local positioning system to acquire location (i.e., position and orientation) data for one or more movable target objects. In cases where the target objects have the capability to move under computer control, this automated process can use the measured location data to control the position and orientation of such target objects. The system leverages the measurement and image capture capability of the local positioning system, and integrates controllable marker lights, image processing, and coordinate transformation computation to provide tracking information for vehicle location control. The resulting system enables position and orientation tracking of objects in a reference coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Troy, Scott W. Lea, Daniel James Wright, Gary E. Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson
  • Patent number: 9014903
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle configured to determine the heading of an object-of-interest based on a point cloud. An example computer-implemented method involves: (a) receiving spatial-point data indicating a set of spatial points, each spatial point representing a point in three dimensions, where the set of spatial points corresponds to an object-of-interest; (b) determining, for each spatial point, an associated projected point, each projected point representing a point in two dimensions; (c) determining a set of line segments based on the determined projected points, where each respective line segment connects at least two determined projected points; (d) determining an orientation of at least one determined line segment from the set of line segments; and (e) determining a heading of the object-of-interest based on at least the determined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dmitri A. Dolgov, Nathaniel Fairfield
  • Patent number: 9002642
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for tracking and identifying a target in an area of interest based on a comparison of predicted target behavior or movement and sensed target behavior or movement. Incorporating aspects of both particle diffusion and mobility constraint models with target intent derivations, the system may continuously track a target while simultaneously refining target identification information. Alternatively, the system and method are applied to reacquire a target track based on prioritized intents and predicted target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William B. Noble, Serdar N. Gokcen, Michael D. Howard, David W. Payton
  • Patent number: 8983777
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing device that provides a user with a trajectory of positions calculated by positioning unit in a user-friendly way without displaying a map. The device includes a positioning section (60) repeatedly calculates a position, a position coordinate storage section (62) that stores a plurality of positions calculated by the positioning section, and an other-user information providing section (70) that displays letter strings indicating the positions stored in the position coordinate storage section (62) in an order that the positions are calculated. The positioning section (60) stores, in a case where a newly calculated position is at a given distance or more from the position last stored in the position coordinate storage section (62), the newly calculated position into the position coordinate storage section (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kaido, Eiichi Nishina, Shohei Konno, Tomohiro Hasekura
  • Publication number: 20150073706
    Abstract: A mobile communication device includes, in part, a first wireless receiver adapted to determine, as it travels along a path, a multitude of positions of the mobile communication device using signals received from a primary positioning source, a second wireless receiver adapted to receive signals from one or more ambient wireless sources as the mobile communication device travels along the path, and a positioning module. An internal or external memory stores estimated positions and corresponding time references of the signals of the one or more ambient sources. The positioning module uses the data stored in the database to estimate the position of the mobile communication device when no primary positioning source signal is available. The positioning module optionally uses the data stored in the database to improve estimates of the position of the mobile communication device when primary positioning signal is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: MaxLinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis LING, Stuart Strickland
  • Publication number: 20150073702
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining transit routes through crowd-sourcing, for determining an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of a vehicle of the transit route at a given location, and for providing predictive reminders to a user for catching a vehicle of the transit route. A server receives signal source information about wireless signal sources detected by user devices, including information about a first wireless signal source detected by some devices. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is moving. The server determines that the first wireless signal source is associated with a public transit route upon determining that the signal source information satisfies one or more selection criteria. The server stores information associating the first wireless signal source with the public transit route as transit movement data corresponding to the public transit route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: François M. Jouaux, Rama Krishna Chitta
  • Patent number: 8972182
    Abstract: Among other things, positioning a magnetic instrument on a pedestrian; positioning an inertial instrument on a foot of a pedestrian; receiving positioning signals at the pedestrian; aligning the inertial instrument based in part on the received positioning signals; calibrating the magnetic instrument using the inertial instrument; and tracking the pedestrian using the calibrated magnetic instrument and the inertial instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Thales Visionix, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Foxlin
  • Publication number: 20150057927
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems and methods for visualizing, analyzing, and managing telepresence devices operating in a telepresence network of healthcare facilities. A user may selectively view a global view of all telepresence devices, telepresence devices within a particular region, the details of a particular telepresence device, and/or the details of a particular healthcare facility. At one viewing level, a user may view a plan view map of a healthcare facility and visualize the navigational history of a telepresence device. At another viewing level, a user may view a plan view map of a healthcare facility and visualize telemetry data of a patient associated with a selected room. At another viewing level, a user may selectively view various graphical representations of telepresence device statistics and usage information with respect to health ratings for each of a plurality of patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Pinter, Greg Brallier, Scott Ross
  • Patent number: 8965688
    Abstract: A system and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets (collectively “trackees”), both indoors and outdoors, is provided. Tracking data obtained from any number of sources utilizing any number of tracking methods may be provided as input to a mapping application. The mapping application generates position estimates for trackees using a suite of mapping tools to make corrections to the tracking data. The mapping application further uses information from building data, when available, to enhance position estimates. Indoor tracking methods including sensor fusion methods, map matching methods, and map building methods may be implemented compute a more accurate tracking estimate for trackees. Outdoor tracking methods may be implemented to enhance outdoor tracking data by combining tracking estimates such as inertial tracks with magnetic and/or compass data if and when available, and with GPS, if and when available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: TRX Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Amrit Bandyopadhyay, Daniel Hakim, Benjamin E. Funk, Eric Asher Kohn, Carole A. Teolis, Gilmer Blankenship
  • Publication number: 20150046086
    Abstract: Methods for processing motion paths for physical entities. For each physical entity among several physical entities, several representations are received of positions of the physical entity. In response to detecting that a number of physical entities among the physical entities traverse a similar motion path, a path record is generated, which represents the motion path traversed by the number of physical entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kirk J. Krauss