Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080215203 | METHOD FOR CREATING SPIRAL SWATHS FOR IRREGULAR FIELD BOUNDARIES - A method for calculating spiral swath paths in an area with irregular boundaries and providing automatic guidance of a vehicle along the calculated spiral swath paths. A baseline swath path is generated, and at least one adjacent swath path is calculated based on the minimum turning radius of the vehicle and associated implement. An algorithm calculates the continuous spiral swath path by monitoring a position data points at the end point of the previous swath path at the starting point of the at least one adjacent swath path, configuring a radius of curvature for each individual swath path determining the radius of curvature for each swath path and joining the individual swath paths into one continuous spiral swath path. | 09-04-2008 |
20080228335 | NAVIGATING A UAV HAVING AN ON-BOARD DIGITAL CAMERA TO CAPTURE DESIRED GEOGRAPHIC AREA - Methods, systems, and products for navigating a UAV having an on-board digital camera are provided. Embodiments include identifying a geographic area not captured by the digital camera while the UAV is flying in a current flying pattern, and modifying the current flying pattern to capture an image of the identified geographic area. Identifying a geographic area not captured by the digital camera while the UAV is flying in a current flying pattern may be carried out by determining an area captured by the onboard camera, extrapolating the area captured by the onboard camera along the flying pattern to determine a perimeter of uncaptured geographic area, and determining the area of the uncaptured geographic area in dependence upon the perimeter. | 09-18-2008 |
20080269973 | Routing apparatus for autonomous mobile unit - A routing apparatus includes a sensor unit which has capabilities to detect an object in a target field of view and measure position of the object, and an electronic control unit which controls movements of the autonomous mobile unit. An electronic control unit determines velocity and a travel direction of the object based on changes in the position of the object obtained from the sensor unit over a plurality of measurement cycles, determines a path of the autonomous mobile unit so as to avoid collision with the object based on the position, the velocity, and the travel direction of the object, and determines the path of the autonomous mobile unit by setting the velocity of the object to a value equal to or lower than a predetermined value if the object recognized in the previous measurement cycle is not recognized in the current measurement cycle. | 10-30-2008 |
20090005926 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ROUTING POINT PLACEMENT FOR AIDING IN ENCODING AND DECODING A PATH - A method of encoding a shortened path definition of a path in a mapping system is described. In one embodiment, a shortened path definition includes only those routing points that are needed to eliminate valid alternate routes. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012667 | MOBILE DEVICE, MOVING SYSTEM, MOVING METHOD, AND MOVING PROGRAM - A technology is provided that easily acquires the location where an article is placed and then moves to that location, even in cases where the article was originally placed in a location shielded from GPS radio wave, and subsequently moved to another location. Marks and RFID tags are affixed to a movable tray. A transfer robot includes a camera, a reader, and a sensor. The transfer robot detects the tray location from the location of a region in an image photographed by the camera that matches mark information. Furthermore, the reader in the transfer robot detects the tray location from the intensity of a radio wave whose information, when read, matches an ID retained in the RFID tag. The transfer robot moves with the camera and the reader, detecting the tray that is the target destination. | 01-08-2009 |
20090048727 | Robot cleaner and control method and medium of the same - Disclosed herein are a robot cleaner that is capable of reflecting an obstacle sensed by obstacle sensors on a local map and a control method and medium of the same. The robot cleaner includes an obstacle sensor to sense an obstacle, a memory to store a local map, and a control unit to calculate an obstacle position using the obstacle sensor and to reflect the obstacle position around the robot cleaner on the local map. | 02-19-2009 |
20090062975 | DISPLAY SYSTEM - Abstract A mobile, real-time visual information method and system to provide motorists stuck in traffic congestion the opportunity to receive instantaneous and up-to-the-second news, traffic, weather and other relevant information that is localized to that specific location by combining various transmissions with a prominent and safe display system. A display screen on a truck is deployed to a location of interest, such as a region of roadway prior to a traffic jam. The display screen then shows motorists alternate routes before the motorists encounter the traffic jam. | 03-05-2009 |
20090076674 | System for the automatic movement of material - The present invention relates to a system for the automatic movement of material in a working area comprising at least one movable piece of equipment, wherein the system has a control for the automatic movement of the piece of equipment with an automatic recognition of obstacles. In accordance with the invention, the control has a first obstacle processing function which moves an obstacle in the working area automatically using the movable piece of equipment; and/or in that the control has a second obstacle processing function which automatically removes an obstacle from the working area using the movable piece of equipment. | 03-19-2009 |
20090143932 | MOBILE APPARATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR - 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. | 06-04-2009 |
20090198401 | OPTICAL LASER GUIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of guiding a vehicle comprises sensing a position of a laser beam using a laser sensor and receiving a signal from the laser sensor wherein the signal is representative of the position of the laser beam. The method further includes interpreting the signal, generating a control signal in response to the laser beam being greater than a predetermined distance from a predetermined reference position and wherein the control signal is configured to control the vehicle to track the position of the laser beam. The method additionally comprises sending the control signal to a drive actuator. | 08-06-2009 |
20090210109 | Computing Flight Plans for UAVs While Routing Around Obstacles Having Spatial and Temporal Dimensions - This description provides tools and techniques for computing flight plans for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while routing around obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. Methods provided by these tools may receive data representing destinations to be visited by the UAVs, and may receive data representing obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. These methods may also calculate trajectories spatial and temporal dimensions, by which the UAV may travel from one destination to another, and may at least attempt to compute flight plans for the UAVs that incorporate these trajectories. The methods may also determine whether these trajectories intersect any obstacles, and at least attempt to reroute the trajectories around the obstacles. These tools may also provide systems and computer-readable media containing software for performing any of the foregoing methods. | 08-20-2009 |
20090265053 | METHOD FOR CREATING SPIRAL SWATH PATTERNS FOR CONVEX POLYGON SHAPED FIELD BOUNDARIES - A computationally efficient method for generating a spiral swath pattern for a region of a field bounded by a convex polygon, the method automatically generating curved portions for the swath pattern having radii of curvature greater than a minimum turning radius based on the minimum turning radius and a definition of the field boundary. | 10-22-2009 |
20100036556 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT CAPABLE OF DETOURING OBSTACLE AND METHOD THEREOF - Provided are an autonomous mobile robot capable of detouring an obstacle, and a method thereof. The autonomous mobile robot includes a moving object; an extension unit connected to the moving object and extending in proportion to a pulling force of the moving object; a drive unit moving the autonomous mobile robot toward the moving object corresponding to the pulling force of the object connected to the extension unit; a route information obtaining unit obtaining route information according to an extension length to which the extension unit extends corresponding to the pulling force of the moving object; an obstacle detecting unit detecting presence of an obstacle placed within a predetermined distance in a moving direction of the autonomous mobile robot that is being led by the moving object; and a control unit controlling the drive unit such that the autonomous mobile robot moves along a route based on the route information. Accordingly, collision between the obstacle and the autonomous mobile robot can be prevented, and the autonomous mobile robot can naturally detour the obstacle. | 02-11-2010 |
20100076640 | TRAVEL ROUTE GENERATING METHOD FOR UNMANNED VEHICLE - A travel route generating method for an unmanned vehicle, which includes a condition input step of inputting a vehicle constraint condition including a vehicle width and a minimum turning radius of the unmanned vehicle, and a geometrical constraint condition including a travel route generation range in which the unmanned vehicle is to travel, an obstacle to avoid, and a position and a direction of an entrance point and an exit point; and a travel route generating step of generating a travel route such that the vehicle constraint condition and the geometrical constraint condition are satisfied, and such that a function value of a cost function having at least a magnitude of a curve and/or a rate of change in the curve as a cost element is minimized. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076641 | UNMANNED VEHICLE FOR DISPLACING MANURE - An apparatus and method for an unmanned vehicle for displacing manure includes navigating an unmanned vehicle, further including detecting an animal, determining whether a current course of the unmanned vehicle will lead to a collision with the animal. If this is the case, the method continues by: determining at least a first priority parameter from a set of priority parameters, wherein the first priority parameter is a standing condition of the detected animal, deciding, on the basis of the set of priority parameters, whether the course of the unmanned vehicle will be adjusted to avoid the animal, wherein the course will be maintained if the set of priority parameters meets a predetermined collision criterion, and the course will be adjusted to avoid the animal if the set of priority parameters does not meet the predetermined collision criterion, wherein the set of priority parameters only meets the collision criterion if at least the standing condition is that the animal is standing. | 03-25-2010 |
20100082196 | MOBILE APPARATUS - Even when a first moving condition is not satisfied, when it is determined that a second moving condition is satisfied and at the same time an object belongs to a first classification, an operation of a robot is controlled so as to prompt the object to move according to a first pattern or an arbitrary pattern. The second moving condition is a condition that the robot is capable of moving in according to a current target position trajectory without being obstructed by the object when the object is displaced according to the first pattern. The first classification is a classification of the object as an object capable of recognizing an action pattern of the robot and capable of moving autonomously. | 04-01-2010 |
20100100269 | Systems and Methods for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Navigation - Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation are presented. In a preferred embodiment, a UAV is configured with at least one flight corridor and flight path, and a first UAV flight plan is calculated. During operation of the first UAV flight plan, the UAV visually detects an obstacle, and calculates a second UAV flight plan to avoid the obstacle. Furthermore, during operation of either the first or the second UAV flight plan, the UAV acoustically detects an unknown aircraft, and calculates a third UAV flight plan to avoid the unknown aircraft. Additionally, the UAV may calculate a new flight plan based on other input, such as information received from a ground control station. | 04-22-2010 |
20100121518 | MAP ENHANCED POSITIONING SENSOR SYSTEM - An enhanced positioning system includes a vehicle positioning system adapted to transmit an output representing at least one of a current position, a future position, and a path of a vehicle and at least one module in communication with the vehicle positioning system, wherein the at least one module obtains data and information related to at least one of a road attribute, a vehicle dynamics, and a vehicle position, analyzes the data and information, and modifies the output of the vehicle positioning system in response to the analysis of the data and information. | 05-13-2010 |
20100152944 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes camera, a distance direction sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to store a plurality of instruction images obtained as a target of the real-time image at each of a plurality of discrete instruction points provided on a predetermined running path. The controller is configured to switch, on the basis of predetermined switching conditions, between an image guidance mode in which the controller controls a running subsystem on the basis of a comparison result between the real-time image and the instruction image, and a measurement distance guidance mode in which the controller controls the running subsystem on the basis of a detection result of the distance direction sensor. | 06-17-2010 |
20100174436 | TARGET ROUTE GENERATION SYSTEM - A target route generation system which generates a target route for a robot (R) to travel along autonomously is provided with a route candidate generation element ( | 07-08-2010 |
20100198444 | INTERMEDIATE PIVOT DEVICE FOR POSITIONING A PULLED IMPLEMENT - An intermediate pivot device is positioned between a towing vehicle and a pulled implement. The intermediate pivot device includes a positioning component that can be actuated in accordance with position implement control data to compensate for the drift of a pulled implement. | 08-05-2010 |
20100204867 | COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A collision avoidance system for use with an unmanned vehicle, the system includes a plurality of radar elements arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the unmanned vehicle, wherein the radar elements transmit a plurality of pulses about the vehicle and receive a plurality of return signals from one or more objects within the range of the vehicle. Upon detecting the one or more objects within range of the vehicle, the system determines if an object is on a course which requires evasive action and suitably alters the vehicle's course in order to avoid collision. | 08-12-2010 |
20100222954 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT APPARATUS AND A RUSH-OUT COLLISION AVOIDANCE METHOD IN THE SAME APPRATUS - An autonomous mobile robot apparatus and a method for avoiding collision due to rush-out, being applicable under the circumstances where persons and robots come and go each other, comprises an obstacle detector unit | 09-02-2010 |
20100228420 | MODEL BASED PREDICTIVE CONTROL FOR AUTOMATED LANE CENTERING/CHANGING CONTROL SYSTEMS - A system and method for providing steering control for lane changing and lane centering purposes in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle system. A vehicle vision system calculates roadway lane marking information, such as lateral offset, yaw angle and roadway curvature with respect to the vehicle's centered coordinate system. The roadway is then modeled as a second order polynomial equation. The method then predicts roadway lateral position and yaw angle over a pre-defined lane change completion time using a vehicle dynamic model. The method then compares a predicted vehicle path with a desired vehicle path to generate an error value, and calculates a steering angle command to minimize the error value, where the steering angle command is calculated as a function of vehicle lateral position, vehicle lateral speed, vehicle yaw rate and vehicle yaw angle. The steering angle command is then sent to the vehicle steering system. | 09-09-2010 |
20100235033 | MOVING DEVICE - A moving device ( | 09-16-2010 |
20100274431 | TARGET ROUTE SETTING SUPPORT SYSTEM - A target route setting support system is equipped with a transiting area/starting-terminal point recognizing unit, a route candidate generating unit, and a determining unit. The transiting area/starting-terminal point recognizing unit recognizes a node or a link connecting nodes together designated by the user via a remote controller as a designated transiting area, the target position as a terminal point, and a departure position as a starting point. The route candidate generating unit generates a moving route candidate connecting the terminal point and the starting point so the designated transiting area is included at least in a part of the moving route candidate. The determining unit determines the level of a possibility of contact between the robot and an object in the case where the robot is made to move along the moving route candidate, and outputs the determination result via an output device. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280699 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAP BUILDING - An autonomous vehicle comprises at least one image sensor to provide measurements of landmark position for a plurality of landmarks; and processing functionality to estimate the position of the plurality of landmarks in a global frame and in the autonomous vehicle's frame, and to estimate the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in a global frame based, at least in part, on the measurements of landmark position from the at least one image sensor. The processing functionality is further operable to calculate errors in the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame and in the estimate of the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in the global frame by using a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality landmarks in the autonomous vehicle's frame and a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame. | 11-04-2010 |
20100299015 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO AUTOMATIC ASSIST MOBILE IMAGE ACQUISITION - A system and method to perforin image acquisition of a subject is provided. The system includes a mobile device to move an imaging system across a floor, and a brake system that restrains movement of the mobile device. A controller includes a memory having program instructions to instruct a processor to perform the steps of: instructing movement of the mobile device in support of the imaging system to a first position for image acquisition of the subject; receiving feedback that the mobile device is located at the first position; and applying a brake force to restrain movement of the mobile device, wherein the step of applying the brake force includes generating an electromagnetic force from the mobile device in restraint of movement with respect to a plate attached at the floor. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299016 | ACTIVATION SYSTEM FOR A ROBOTIC VEHICLE - The invention relates to an activation system ( | 11-25-2010 |
20100324773 | Method and apparatus for relocating mobile robot - Provided is a method and apparatus for relocating a mobile robot when the mobile robot loses its position due to slipping. The method includes storing a moving path of the mobile robot and effective points on the moving path capable of finding an absolute position from a peripheral image; detecting an abnormal motion of the mobile robot; and when the abnormal motion of the mobile robot is detected, controlling the mobile robot to move to the effective point along a predetermined return path. | 12-23-2010 |
20110010033 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT, SELF POSITION ESTIMATION METHOD, ENVIRONMENTAL MAP GENERATION METHOD, ENVIRONMENTAL MAP GENERATION APPARATUS, AND DATA STRUCTURE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MAP - To improve the accuracy of the self position estimation of a mobile robot. A robot measures a distance to an object in the mobile environment by using a range sensor. An environmental map storage unit stores an environmental map containing a plurality of map data each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of measurement directions from which a point in the mobile environment is to be observed. A self position estimation unit selects a map data corresponding to a measurement direction in which a distance to the object is measured by the range sensor from the plurality of map data. Then, the self position estimation unit estimates a self position of the mobile robot based on the selected map data and range data obtained by the range sensor. | 01-13-2011 |
20110046837 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND MANAGEMENT - To improve the scheduling and tasking of sensors, the present disclosure describes an improved planning system and method for the allocation and management of sensors. In one embodiment, the planning system uses a branch and bound approach of tasking sensors using a heuristic to expedite arrival at a deterministic solution. In another embodiment, a progressive lower bound is applied to the branch and bound approach. Also, in another embodiment, a hybrid branch and bound approach is used where both local and global planning are employed in a tiered fashion. | 02-24-2011 |
20110077813 | AUDIO BASED ROBOT CONTROL AND NAVIGATION - A computer implemented method for unattended detection of a current terrain to be traversed by a mobile device is disclosed. Visual input of the current terrain is received for a plurality of positions. Audio input corresponding to the current terrain is received for the plurality of positions. The video input is fused with the audio input using a classifier. The type of the current terrain is classified with the classifier. The classifier may also be employed to predict the type of terrain proximal to the current terrain. The classifier is constructed using an expectation-maximization (EM) method. | 03-31-2011 |
20110098874 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NAVIGATING ROBOT - A method of navigating a robot includes creating a robot navigation map using a map database required for navigation of the robot; and creating a path on which no obstacle is located in the map database using the created robot navigation map. Further, the method of navigating the robot includes primarily controlling the robot so that the robot travels along the created path; and secondarily controlling the robot so that the robot avoids an obstacle on the path. | 04-28-2011 |
20110112714 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOVEMENT OF ROBOTIC DEVICE USING VIDEO SIGNAL - A method of navigating an area using a mobile robotic device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by a mobile robotic device, a position of the mobile robotic device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the mobile robotic device from the determined position along a path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and may be located a distance from a reference point on the mobile robotic device during movement of the mobile robotic device. | 05-12-2011 |
20110118927 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING POSITIONS AND ORIENTATIONS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES - A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: Receiving data relating to a plurality of proposed vehicle locations; generating a simulated vehicle path based on the received data; determining a simulated vehicle orientation for at least one point on the simulated vehicle path; presenting at least the simulated vehicle orientation in a user-discernable form; receiving a user verification of the simulated vehicle orientation for at least one point on the simulated vehicle path; and producing approved vehicle control commands from the simulated vehicle path and simulated vehicle orientation, the approved vehicle control commands controlling the autonomous vehicle to follow the simulated vehicle path and the simulated vehicle orientation. | 05-19-2011 |
20110118928 | Control method of performing rotational traveling of robot cleaner - Disclosed herein is a control method of a robot cleaner in which a robot cleaner is moved at an arbitrary starting angle along a rotation trajectory having an arbitrary rotational center and rotation radius during obstacle-following traveling, whereby an obstacle-following traveling time is reduced and consequently, a movement time of the robot cleaner is reduced. | 05-19-2011 |
20110144850 | MOVING APPARATUS, MOVING METHOD OF MOVING APPARATUS, AND MOVEMENT CONTROL PROGRAM OF MOVING APPARATUS - A moving apparatus includes a route preparing function unit, a moving function unit, an obstacle detecting function unit, an obstacle removal requesting function unit, an obstacle judging function unit, a request target detecting function unit and an obstacle selecting function unit. Here, the route preparing function unit prepares a route to a destination. The moving function unit moves along the route. The obstacle detecting function unit detects obstacles that interfere in the movement. Here, when the obstacles exist on the route, the route preparing function unit tries to prepare a different route from the route. When the different route exists, the moving function unit tries to move to the destination along the different route. The obstacle removal requesting function unit requests the outside to remove the obstacles outside the route, when the different route does not exist. The obstacle judging function unit judges existence of at least one removable obstacle that can be removed from the route among the obstacles detected by the obstacle detecting function unit. The request target detecting function unit detects at least one request capable target who is capable of being requested to remove the removable obstacle by the obstacle removal requesting function unit, in an outside. The obstacle selecting function unit, when there is a plurality of removable obstacles as the at least one removable obstacle, selectively determine a removal target obstacle that is an obstacle whose removal is requested by the obstacle removal requesting function unit from the plurality of removable obstacles. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153138 | MOVING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - Even when a first moving condition is not satisfied, when it is determined that a second moving condition is satisfied and at the same time an object belongs to a second classification, an operation of a robot is controlled so as to prompt the object to move according to a first pattern or an arbitrary pattern. The “first moving condition” is a condition that the robot is capable of moving without being obstructed by the object when the robot moves according to a current target position trajectory. The “second moving condition” is a condition that the robot is capable of moving according to the current target position trajectory without being obstructed by the object when the object is displaced according to the first pattern. The “second classification” means a classification of the object which is capable of being moved by a force from the robot acting thereon. | 06-23-2011 |
20110196564 | AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT METHOD - The method relates to autonomous flights performed by aircraft without the assistance of an aircrew and without said flights having been scheduled during mission preparation. It comprises negotiation with an air traffic control authority, of the modifications made to the flight plan so as to integrate these autonomous flights into the existing air traffic with minimum disturbance. | 08-11-2011 |
20110196565 | GNSS CONTOUR GUIDANCE PATH SELECTION - A GNSS-based contour guidance path selection system for guiding a piece of equipment through an operation, such as navigating a guide path, includes a processor programmed for locking onto a particular aspect of the operation, such as deviating from a pre-planned or original guidance pattern and locking the guidance system onto a new route guide path, while ignoring other guidance paths. The system gives a vehicle operator control over a guidance route without the need to re-plan a pre-planned route. The device corrects conflicting signal issues arising when new swaths result in the guidance system receiving conflicting directions of guidance where the new swaths cross predefined swaths. An operator can either manually, or with an autosteer subsystem automatically, maintain a new contour guidance pattern, even while crossing predefined guidance paths that would otherwise divert the vehicle. | 08-11-2011 |
20110202224 | TETHERED ROBOT POSITIONING - A system and method for positioning a mobile machine, such as a robot, using a tether line connected between two mobile machines. A first mobile machine, such as a boundary vehicle, is controlled to move along a path, such as a boundary defining an area. The first machine employs a localization device to determine and maintain its position on the path. A tether line is connected between the boundary vehicle and a second mobile machine, such as a roving vehicle. The first machine determines the position of the second machine relative to the first machine from a length of extension and angle of the tether line. The first machine controls movement of the second machine to perform a task or mission, such as a task performed in the area defined by the boundary. | 08-18-2011 |
20110231050 | In-Line Legged Robot Vehicle and Method for Operating - A legged vehicle includes a body, wherein the body includes a major axis corresponding to a primary direction of travel; a plurality of leg mechanisms attached to the body, wherein each leg is attached at its proximal end at one or more discrete attachment points, wherein the attachment points are arranged in-line, one behind the other, with respect to the body, each of the legs including actuators attached between the legs and the body and between adjacent leg members, said legs being actuated for movement of a distal end in three dimensions; a control system in communication with the leg mechanisms to coordinate movements of the leg mechanisms according to approximately single track foot placement, and movement of the legged vehicle in three dimensions over the ground; and a power source connected to and driving the control system components and the plurality of actuators and joints which drive the legs. | 09-22-2011 |
20110320085 | MACHINE WITH AUTOMATED STEERING SYSTEM - A system is provided for regulating a travel course of a machine. The system has a steering system operationally connected to at least one ground engaging device. Additionally, the system has a path generator configured to generate a path along which the machine can travel. The system also has a path tracker configured to automatically regulate the steering system to position the machine within a predetermined vicinity of an initial point on the generated path and guide the machine along the generated path. | 12-29-2011 |
20120029755 | ROBOTIC MOWER AREA COVERAGE SYSTEM - A robotic mower area coverage system includes a load sensor on the robotic mower signaling load on a cutting blade motor, a boundary sensor on the robotic mower indicating the distance from the sensor to a boundary wire, a timer on the robotic mower indicating when the robotic mower last used a specified boundary coverage, and a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower selecting the type of area coverage based on input from the load sensor, the boundary sensor and the timer, and commanding a pair of traction drive motors to drive the robotic mower using the selected type of area coverage. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029756 | ROBOTIC MOWER BOUNDARY COVERAGE SYSTEM - A robotic mower boundary coverage system includes a vehicle control unit on the robotic mower commanding a traction drive system to drive the robotic mower at a specified yaw angle with respect to a boundary wire, and a boundary sensor on the robotic mower signaling the distance between the boundary wire and the vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit alternates commands to direct the traction drive system toward and away from the boundary wire based on the distance of the robotic mower to the boundary wire. | 02-02-2012 |
20120059545 | AUTOMATIC GUIDED VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR DRIVE CONTROL OF THE SAME - An automatic guided vehicle and a method for drive control enable setting the vehicle alongside a conveyor with high accuracy in stopping at a task address. An automatic guided vehicle includes photoelectric sensors which detect the presence of an article by projecting light to a reflecting plate arranged on a conveyor and receiving signal light reflected from the reflecting plate and are arranged in one at each of the front and rear portions of the automatic guided vehicle, and a unit for detecting the distance between the vehicle and the conveyor. When both the photoelectric sensors arranged at the front and read portions of the side surface of the vehicle, a steering vehicle is steered toward the conveyor, and the automatic guided vehicle is driven toward the conveyor until the distance between the vehicle and the conveyor becomes within a predetermined distance. | 03-08-2012 |
20120065830 | AUTOMATIC VEERING STRUCTURE FOR FLOOR CLEANING APPARATUS - An automatic veering structure for a floor cleaning apparatus comprises a driving wheel set to control moving direction of the floor cleaning apparatus, an auxiliary wheel set and a buffer module. It also has a detection module to detect whether the auxiliary wheel set is suspended in the air and whether the buffer module bumps into an obstacle, then output a first detection signal and a second detection signal to a control module to determine whether to trigger the driving wheel set to drive the floor cleaning apparatus to veer to prevent the floor cleaning apparatus from suspending and falling, or stopping moving when encounters the obstacle. Thus the lifespan of the floor cleaning apparatus is lengthened and cleaning efficiency improves. | 03-15-2012 |
20120083964 | ZONE DRIVING - A roadgraph may include a graph network of information such as roads, lanes, intersections, and the connections between these features. The roadgraph may also include one or more zones associated with particular rules. The zones may include locations where driving is typically challenging such as merges, construction zones, or other obstacles. In one example, the rules may require an autonomous vehicle to alert a driver that the vehicle is approaching a zone. The vehicle may thus require a driver to take control of steering, acceleration, deceleration, etc. In another example, the zones may be designated by a driver and may be broadcast to other nearby vehicles, for example using a radio link or other network such that other vehicles may be able to observer the same rule at the same location or at least notify the other vehicle's drivers that another driver felt the location was unsafe for autonomous driving. | 04-05-2012 |
20120101680 | CONTROL AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVEN VEHICLES - 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. | 04-26-2012 |
20120158237 | UNMANNED APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - An unmanned apparatus obtains position information and communication quality and traffic information while traveling, synchronizes the position information with the communication quality and traffic information, maps the communication quality and traffic information for each poison, synchronized with the position information, to geographical information, displays the geographical information on an electronic map, and sets a traveling path using the electronic map. | 06-21-2012 |
20120173070 | COVERAGE ROBOT NAVIGATING - A method of navigating an autonomous coverage robot on a floor includes controlling movement of the robot across the floor in a cleaning mode, receiving a sensor signal indicative of an obstacle, rotating the robot away from the sensed obstacle, determining a change in the received sensor signal during at least a portion of the rotation of the robot away from the sensed obstacle, and identifying the sensed obstacle based at least in part on the determined change in the received sensor signal. | 07-05-2012 |
20120221187 | ROBOT CLEANER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - The present description relates to a robot cleaner and to a method for controlling the same, which involve generating a map of an area to be cleaned in accordance with a travel mode command, and performing a cleaning operation by avoiding obstacles on the basis of the generated map upon receipt of a cleaning mode command. For this purpose, the robot cleaner of the present invention comprises: a travel unit which travels around the area to be cleaned upon receipt of the travel mode command; a detection unit which detects an object located in the area to be cleaned during travel performed in accordance with the travel mode command; and a control unit which generates a map of an area to be cleaned on the basis of the information on the location of an obstacle, if the detected object is the obstacle, and controls a cleaning operation on the basis of the generated map upon receipt of a cleaning mode command. | 08-30-2012 |
20120253582 | Semi-Autonomous Mobile Device Driving with Obstacle Avoidance - The subject disclosure is directed towards driving a robot or other mobile device safely through an environment by using a depth camera to obtain depth data, and then using the depth data for collision avoidance. Horizontal profile information may be built from the depth data, such as by collapsing a two-dimensional depth map into one-dimensional horizontal profile information. The horizontal profile information may be further processed by fusing the depth camera-detected obstacle data with any closer obstacle data as detected via infrared-based sensing and/or sonar-based sensing. Driving suggestions from a user or program are overridden as needed to avoid collisions, including by driving the robot towards an open space represented in the horizontal profile information, or stopping/slowing the robot as needed. | 10-04-2012 |
20120271502 | ROBOT CLEANER AND REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF THE SAME - Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same. Firstly, an obstacle may be detected by using a light pattern sensor, and a user's inconvenience due to irradiation of a light pattern may be solved. Secondly, an obstacle may be precisely detected in a three dimensional manner by using the light pattern sensor. This may allow precise creation of a cleaning map. Thirdly, a user's eyes may be prevented from being continuously exposed to a light source. This may enhance the user's convenience. | 10-25-2012 |
20120296511 | METHOD & APPARATUS FOR DOCKING A ROBOTIC DEVICE WITH A CHARGING STATION - A docking system includes a mobile robotic device and a charging station to which the robotic device is to dock. The robotic device is comprised of sensors to capture a homing signal emitted by the charging station, docking logic that processes the homing signal so that it can be used to control the movements of the robotic device towards and dock with the charging station, and it is comprised of a mechanism for receiving a cylindrical charging post. The charging station is comprised of a circular platform in the center of which is located the charging post that is generally cylindrical in shape. The charging post includes a charging contact, ground contacts and an IR emitter. The geometry of the receiver mechanism elements and the shape of the charging post and geometry of the charging station generally permits the robotic device to approach the charging station and to dock with the charging station from any angle. | 11-22-2012 |
20120303202 | ROBOTIC VEHICLE CONTROLLER - A control system is provided for automatically moving at least one machine along a desired path. | 11-29-2012 |
20120316725 | CONTROL AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVEN VEHICLES - 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. | 12-13-2012 |
20130024065 | Autonomous Electronic Device and Method of Controlling Motion of the Autonomous Electronic Device Thereof - An autonomous electronic device and a method of controlling the motion of the autonomous electronic device thereof are disclosed. The autonomous electronic device includes a motor, a wheel, a processing module, a motor controlling module, and a motion sensor module. The motor is used for driving the wheel. The motor controlling module is used for controlling the motor. The motion sensor module is used for generating a sensing signal according to surrounding conditions encountered by the autonomous electronic device and transferring the signal to the processing module, wherein when the sensing signal is an abnormal movement signal, the processing module controls the motor to adapt to the surrounding conditions via the motor controlling module according to the abnormal movement signal. | 01-24-2013 |
20130151062 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING ROUTE OF MOVING OBJECT - An apparatus for establishing a route of a moving object, the apparatus including: an information reception unit configured to receive map data from the outside, a global route generation unit configured to generate a global route based on the map data and location information and destination information of a moving object, a surrounding environment sensor unit configured to sense information regarding a surrounding environment of the moving object when the moving object runs, a local route generation unit configured to generate one or more local routes based on the sensed information regarding a surrounding environment, a running unit configured to run the moving object based on the local route, and, when two or more local routes are generated, establish a route of the moving object through matching between the global route and the local routes, and running the moving object. | 06-13-2013 |
20130166134 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE BODY - 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 D | 06-27-2013 |
20130184926 | AUTONOMOUS LANE CONTROL SYSTEM - An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system. | 07-18-2013 |
20130197736 | VEHICLE CONTROL BASED ON PERCEPTION UNCERTAINTY - Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to maneuvering autonomous vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle may determine the uncertainty in its perception system and use this uncertainty value to make decisions about how to maneuver the vehicle. For example, the perception system may include sensors, object type models, and object motion models, each associated with uncertainties. The sensors may be associated with uncertainties based on the sensor's range, speed, and /or shape of the sensor field. The object type models may be associated with uncertainties, for example, in whether a perceived object is of one type (such as a small car) or another type (such as a bicycle). The object motion models may also be associated with uncertainties, for example, not all objects will move exactly as they are predicted to move. These uncertainties may be used to maneuver the vehicle. | 08-01-2013 |
20130218397 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A SELF-PROPELLED ROBOT DEVICE - The present invention relates to a method for controlling a self-propelled robot device, such as a robot device for mowing grass, and a control system that carries out the aforementioned method. According to the invention, the self-propelled robot device is driven by an inertial navigation system for a set time period or distance and the device is periodically stopped for rectifying the position and advancing course thereof by a satellite detection system: the periodic correction of the inertial navigation system using satellite detections thus prevents course errors from accumulating. The correction based on the satellite detection system can be possibly optimized through a further selection of the obtained values according to a statistical basis. Preferably, the control method according to the invention also provides a procedure for detecting, recording and mapping the operating region wherein the device is operated. | 08-22-2013 |
20130231824 | Artificial Intelligence Valet Systems and Methods - Various examples are described for an artificial intelligence valet system. In one example, among others, a distributed information sharing system can obtain route information associated with a geographic area and provide the route information to a user vehicle in response to a request. In another example, an autonomous user vehicle can receive a request to autonomously proceed to a user defined location; obtain route information; and determine a route to the user defined location using the route information. In another example, a collision avoidance system can determine if an object is in a path of travel of a vehicle based at least in part upon sensory data and maneuver the vehicle based at least in part upon an object determination. In another example, an accident reporting system can determine an occurrence of a violation of a vehicle; obtain recordings of the environment surrounding the vehicle; and report the violation. | 09-05-2013 |
20130238182 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING TRAVEL WITHIN TRAVEL SYSTEM FOR UNMANNED VEHICLE AND TRAVEL SYSTEM FOR UNMANNED VEHICLE - 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. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238183 | METHOD OF OPERATING AN IN-LINE LEGGED ROBOT VEHICLE - A single track in-line legged vehicle is controlled to coordinate movement along a desired single-track trajectory by causing each in-line leg to selectively perform a stance-to-flight phase, a flight phase, a flight-to-stance phase, and a stance phase. During the stance-to-flight phase, reaction forces and torques between a foot and the ground are unloaded to lift the foot off the ground. During the flight phase, a foot moves in the same general direction and at a generally faster rate as a major direction of motion of the vehicle body. During the flight-to-stance phase, foot positioning is controlled to place a foot on the ground according to the desired single-track trajectory. During the stance phase, foot-to-ground interaction develops reaction forces and torques that are transferred from the foot through the corresponding in-line leg to propel, torque, and stabilize the body in the x, y, z, pitch, roll, and yaw axes. | 09-12-2013 |
20130253753 | DETECTING LANE MARKINGS - Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to detecting lane markers. More specifically, laser scan data may be collected by moving a laser along a roadway. The laser scan data may include data points describing the intensity and location information of objects within range of the laser. Each beam of the laser may be associated with a respective subset of data points. For a single beam, the subset of data points may be further divided into sections. For each section, the average intensity and standard deviation may be used to determine a threshold intensity. A set of lane marker data points may be generated by comparing the intensity of each data point to the threshold intensity for the section in which the data point appears and based on the elevation of the data point. This set may be stored for later use or otherwise made available for further processing. | 09-26-2013 |
20130274986 | CONTROL AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVEN VEHICLES - 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. | 10-17-2013 |
20130311031 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED EXCAVATION PLANNING AND CONTROL - A control system is disclosed for a mobile excavation machine operating at a worksite. The control system may have a locating device mounted on the mobile excavation machine that is configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of the mobile excavation machine at the worksite during completion of an excavation plan. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the locating device and the mobile excavation machine. The controller may be configured to autonomously control the mobile excavation machine based on the excavation plan, and to determine a volume of material missed during completion of a first cut of the excavation plan based on the signal. The controller may be further configured to adjust a characteristic of a second cut of the excavation plan based on the volume of material missed during completion of the first cut of the excavation plan. | 11-21-2013 |
20130325244 | TIME-DEPENDENT NAVIGATION OF TELEPRESENCE ROBOTS - A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an imaging system, and a mapping module. The mapping module may access a plan view map of an area and tags associated with the area. In various embodiments, each tag may include tag coordinates and tag information, which may include a tag annotation. A tag identification system may identify tags within a predetermined range of the current position and the control system may execute an action based on an identified tag whose tag information comprises a telepresence robot action modifier. The telepresence robot may rotate an upper portion independent from a lower portion. A remote terminal may allow an operator to control the telepresence robot using any combination of control methods, including by selecting a destination in a live video feed, by selecting a destination on a plan view map, or by using a joystick or other peripheral device. | 12-05-2013 |
20140018996 | Straight Line Path Planning - A solution for navigating a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is navigated from a start location to a target location using a set of linear paths. A current linear path is identified between a current location of the vehicle and the target location. At least a portion of the current linear path is evaluated for a presence of an obstacle. In response to no obstacle being present along the current linear path, the vehicle is instructed to travel along the current linear path to the target location. In response to an obstacle being present, the vehicle is instructed to travel along a different linear path from the current location to an intermediate location, which is selected based on an extent of the obstacle and the current linear path. The process can be repeated until the vehicle arrives at the target location. | 01-16-2014 |
20140046530 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PLANNING A TURN PATH FOR A MACHINE - A system for controlling a first machine performing a turn includes a controller configured to identify a desired turn for the first machine. The desired turn is formed by two adjacent traffic lanes. The two traffic lanes include a first traffic lane and a second traffic lane. The controller is further configured to receive information regarding a second machine and determine whether to control the first machine to follow a lane crossing path for performing the desired turn based on the received information. The lane crossing path includes a portion of the first traffic lane and a portion of the second traffic lane such that the first machine changes between the first traffic lane and the second traffic lane to perform the desired turn. | 02-13-2014 |
20140067186 | Sonar System For Remote Vehicle - 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. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074342 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING PRE-POSITIONED OBJECTS TO LOCALIZE AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE - According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of using dynamically placed pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises (i) transporting an object along a path within the physical environment and placing the object at a location within the physical environment such that the placed object becomes a dynamically placed pre-positioned object in the physical environment; (ii) updating a map of the physical environment by adding placed object data representing the dynamically placed pre-positioned object to the map of the physical environment to create updated map data such that the placed object, when added to the map, serves as a landmark with observable features and can be used in the navigation of an industrial vehicle with access to the updated map data; (iii) storing the updated map data on a mobile computer attached to the industrial vehicle or on a central computer coupled to the industrial vehicle via a network; and (iv) operating the industrial vehicle based on a navigational position determined from sensor data and the updated map data by navigating the industrial vehicle along a path within the physical environment. | 03-13-2014 |
20140095010 | CROP FEELER SYSTEM AND METHOD - In some embodiments, a crop feeler system automatically executes a navigational task based on a proximity of a vehicle to an obstacle. The crop feeler system includes a hub attached to the vehicle. Inside the hub are two oscillating circuits each having an oscillating frequency. A member is coupled to the hub. Two inductive elements are positioned within the member so that, when the obstacle comes into contact with the member, at least one of the inductive elements moves closer to at least one of the oscillating circuits and alters the oscillating frequency of that oscillating circuit. A navigation sensor measures the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, identifies a navigational task using the oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit, and executes the navigational task. | 04-03-2014 |
20140100736 | ROBOT CLEANER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A control method of a robot cleaner for traveling to clean includes checking information about a predetermined traveling pattern; determining a traveling trajectory based on a traveling speed; generating a traveling pattern based on the determined traveling trajectory and the information about the predetermined traveling pattern, wherein the traveling pattern includes a first straight path, a first rotation path connected to the first straight path and for rotation in a first direction, a second straight path connected to the first rotation path, and a second rotation path connected to the second straight path and for rotation in a second direction; and repeatedly traveling along the generated traveling pattern at regular intervals. Therefore, since the robot cleaner performs cleaning without scattering dust, the efficiency of cleaning may be improved. | 04-10-2014 |
20140188325 | Autonomous Coverage Robot - A mobile robot that includes a robot body having a forward drive direction, a drive system supporting the robot body above a cleaning surface for maneuvering the robot across the cleaning surface, and a robot controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a bumper movably supported by a forward portion of the robot body and a obstacle sensor system disposed on the bumper. The obstacle sensor system includes at least one contact sensor disposed on the bumper, at least one proximity sensor disposed on the bumper and a auxiliary circuit board disposed on the bumper and in communication with the at least one contact sensor, the at least one proximity sensor, and the robot controller. | 07-03-2014 |
20140207325 | EFFICIENT DATA FLOW ALGORITHMS FOR AUTONOMOUS LANE CHANGING, PASSING AND OVERTAKING BEHAVIORS - A system and method for providing lane changing maneuvers in an autonomously driven vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation controller that provides a planned route for the vehicle to follow and a vehicle controller that receives route information from the navigation controller and provides steering, braking and throttle control for the vehicle to follow the route. Either the navigation controller or the vehicle controller may initiate a lane change maneuver to cause the vehicle to be steered from a travel lane to an adjacent lane. In response to the lane change requirement, the navigation controller provides a route segment to the vehicle controller and a lane-change zone so that the vehicle controller can steer the vehicle to the adjacent lane while in the lane-change zone. | 07-24-2014 |
20140214259 | CONTROL AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVEN VEHICLES - 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. | 07-31-2014 |
20140257622 | Proximity Sensing On Mobile Robots - A proximity sensor includes first and second sensors disposed on a sensor body adjacent to one another. The first sensor is one of an emitter and a receiver. The second sensor is the other one of an emitter and a receiver. A third sensor is disposed adjacent the second sensor opposite the first sensor. The third sensor is an emitter if the first sensor is an emitter or a receiver if the first sensor is a receiver. Each sensor is positioned at an angle with respect to the other two sensors. Each sensor has a respective field of view. A first field of view intersects a second field of view defining a first volume that detects a floor surface within a first threshold distance. The second field of view intersects a third field of view defining a second volume that detects a floor surface within a second threshold distance. | 09-11-2014 |
20140309841 | Autonomous Mobile System - The invention includes a shape detector and travel distance detector for measuring whether objects are present in set regions determined by dividing a three-dimensional space into a plurality of segments, a storage device into which map data is stored that indicates a region of the set regions that has been set as having a stationary object in the region, a determining section that determines, from frequency of the object detection by the shape detector during a predetermined time for each of the set regions, whether the object that has been detected in each set region is a stationary object or a moving object, and a localizer that localizes a vehicle “v” by matching the region that the determining section has determined to have a stationary object in the region, and the map data. Thus, highly accurate detection of positions can be realized, even in an environment with moving objects. | 10-16-2014 |
20140324269 | Domestic Robotic System and Robot Therefor - A domestic robotic system that includes a robot, which is programmed to move within a working area defined by a boundary and has boundary distance sensors that enable it to estimate the current distance from the boundary; the robot is programmed to move across the working area and, secondly, so that when the boundary distance sensors indicate that the robot is a distance X away from the boundary and is approaching the boundary, the robot begins performing a gradual turn; this gradual turn is such that: the robot progressively changes direction while continuing to move across said working area; and the robot transitions from approaching the boundary to receding from the boundary; the robot is also programmed to calculate a path for the gradual turn such that, during the gradual turn, the robot approaches the boundary to a predetermined closest distance before receding from the boundary. | 10-30-2014 |
20140379196 | ROBOTIC MOWER NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A robotic mower navigation system includes a plurality of sensors on a robotic mower that detect strength and polarity of a magnetic field from an electric current through a boundary wire. An electronic control unit receives data concerning the magnetic field from the plurality of sensors as the robotic mower follows the boundary wire, tracks the data provided by the sensors, compares the data with a reference pattern that defines at least one specified feature of the boundary wire, and provides commands to the robotic mower based on the comparison. The electronic control unit may command the robotic mower to follow a second boundary wire to a remotely located charging station instead of the first boundary wire based on detected features of the boundary wire such as sharp corners or crossings. | 12-25-2014 |
20150046018 | AUTONOMOUS MOVING BODY, OBSTACLE SENSING METHOD, AND OBSTACLE AVOIDING METHOD - Provided is an autonomous moving body including a recording unit that records in advance position information of a fixed obstacle whose position does not change, a detection unit that detects an obstacle likely to interfere with the autonomous moving body when moving through a moving path, a check unit that checks whether the detected obstacle is the fixed obstacle, a control unit that determines whether to clear away the obstacle when the check unit concludes that the obstacle is not the fixed obstacle, and an informing unit that outputs a signal requesting to clear away the obstacle when the control unit determines to clear away the obstacle. | 02-12-2015 |
20150046019 | AUTOMATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING AND SUPPORTING PATIENTS - Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone. | 02-12-2015 |
20150081156 | CONTROL AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVEN VEHICLES - 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150120126 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLES MOVING A COMMON PAYLOAD - 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. | 04-30-2015 |
20150127209 | BIRD REPELLENT SYSTEM - 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. | 05-07-2015 |
20150134185 | METHOD OF GENERATING OPTIMUM PARKING PATH OF UNMANNED DRIVING VEHICLE, AND UNMANNED DRIVING VEHICLE ADOPTING THE METHOD - 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. | 05-14-2015 |
20150293535 | Cooperative Perimeter Patrol System and Method - A method of patrolling a perimeter of a geographic area, using two or more unmanned vehicles having means for locomotion along a perimeter path. Each vehicle is equipped with at least the following systems: a navigation system operable to autonomously navigate the unmanned vehicle, an anomaly detection system, a communications system, an anomaly tracking system, operable to track, visually or by following, a detected anomaly, and an alert evaluation system. Each vehicle travels the path on a predetermined route, and is operable to broadcast an alert message to all other vehicles if that vehicle detects an anomaly, to perform an evaluation of any received alert message to determine if it will travel to an anomaly based on stored evaluation rules, and to respond to an alert message based on the evaluation. | 10-15-2015 |
20150319913 | MISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM - A system includes an electronic control system for an agricultural system, including a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a mission of a work vehicle of the agricultural system. The controller is configured to determine a first desired path of travel of the work vehicle based on the mission. The controller is configured to output a second signal to the work vehicle indicative of the first desired path of travel, to receive a third signal indicative of a change event from the work vehicle or from an operator, to determine a response to the change event that facilitates completion of the mission, and to output a fourth signal indicative of the response to the work vehicle. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323934 | INDOOR ROBOT AND METHOD FOR INDOOR ROBOT POSITIONING - An indoor robot and a method for indoor robot positioning are provided in the disclosure. The indoor robot is capable of executing different positioning modes according to the number of the detected beacons for indoor robot positioning. When the number of the detected beacons is less than a positioning required number, the indoor robot moves a predetermined distance according to the detected beacons to obtain a plurality of sets of distance data, thereby positioning the location of the indoor robot. | 11-12-2015 |
20150336576 | UNMANNED VEHICLE DRIVING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE - An unmanned vehicle driving apparatus which allows obstacle avoidance and the method of it is commenced. The unmanned vehicle driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment include: a routing part which generates or receives a vehicle's fundamental driving route and generates a moved-driving route by adding or subtracting a route changing value to the fundamental driving route to avoid obstacles while driving; an obstacle detecting part which detects obstacles while driving; and a route driving part which drives the vehicle on the fundamental driving route and when an obstacle is detected, drives the vehicle on the moved-driving route to avoid it. | 11-26-2015 |
20160003636 | MULTI-LEVEL NAVIGATION MONITORING AND CONTROL - Multi-level navigation monitoring and control is provided. A system includes a lane marking manager determining a first boundary line, a second boundary line, and a centerline of a current lane of travel. The system also includes a confidence level determiner assigning a first confidence level to the first boundary line, a second confidence level to the second boundary line, and a third confidence level to the centerline. Further, the system includes a user interface outputting representations of the first boundary line, the second boundary line, and the centerline based, at least in part, on the first confidence level, the second confidence level, and the third confidence level. | 01-07-2016 |
20160004252 | DELIVERY VEHICLE AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING DRIVE OF DELIVERY VEHICLE - A traveling controller of a delivery vehicle includes a command generator and an acceptable value calculator. The acceptable value calculator calculates a command acceptable value based on a current position of the delivery vehicle. An acceptable value determiner of the command generator determines whether a command position generated by a command position generator exceeds the command acceptable value. When the command position is determined to exceed the command acceptable value, a command position changer of the command generator changes the command position to the command acceptable value. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006752 | MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A DRIVING BEHAVIOR WHICH CAN BE MODIFIED AT A LATER STAGE USING AN APPLICATION PROGRAM - A motor vehicle has a processor device to run application programs in a first communication zone and a storage device for vehicle control data, by which a driving behavior of the motor vehicle is determined. The storage device is arranged in a second communication zone of the motor vehicle. In order to allow a modification of the vehicle control data at a later stage using an application program and thus provide protection against an undesired manipulation of the vehicle control data, the first and the second communication zones are coupled by a monitoring device that forwards new data, which an application program is attempting to transmit from the first communication zone into the second communication zone, to the second communication zone only if the monitoring device has detected that the new data leads to a safe motor vehicle driving behavior defined by a specified safety criterion. | 01-07-2016 |
20160018822 | AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION - A method for an autonomous vehicle to follow a target is provided. The method may include obtaining a position and a velocity of a target and obtaining a position of an autonomous vehicle. The method may also include obtaining a path that encloses the position of the target and determining a path rate for the autonomous vehicle to move along the path based on the velocity of the target. The method may also include determining a path position along the path based on the position of the autonomous vehicle and determining a change in the position of the autonomous vehicle based on the path position, the path rate, and the velocity of the target. The method may also include adjusting a velocity and a direction of the autonomous vehicle to achieve the change in the position of the autonomous vehicle. | 01-21-2016 |
20160021813 | Vehicle Guidance SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a method comprising receiving input corresponding to a first contour wayline to enable auto-steer traversal by a vehicle over a field; generating a plurality of contour waylines based on the first contour wayline; identifying a non-drivable section among the plurality of contour waylines, the identifying based on information corresponding to a time for the vehicle to reach a minimum turning radius and the minimum turning radius; and generating an alternative contour wayline section for the identified non-drivable section. | 01-28-2016 |
20160033971 | SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENT SCHEDULING FOR MULTIPLE AUTOMATED NON-HOLONOMIC VEHICLES USING A COORDINATED PATH PLANNER - A method for coordinating path planning for one or more automated vehicles is described, including querying an online path planner for possible solutions for at least one executable task for each of the one or more automated vehicles, examining the results of the query, deciding a coordinated path plan for each vehicle, and communicating the coordinated path plan to a traffic manager, wherein the traffic manager ensures that the one or more automated vehicles perform each executable task according to the coordinated path plan. | 02-04-2016 |
20160039413 | Method for Determining a Lane Course of a Lane - The invention relates to determining a lane course with the aid of a plurality of recorded routes of vehicles using a compensation curve. Each of the plurality of recorded routes includes individual position indications in an order of passing during a respective journey. The method includes selecting a route from the plurality of recorded routes, determining a number of checkpoints for the compensation curve based on the selected route, and determining an initial compensation curve based on the number of checkpoints and the selected route from the plurality of routes. The method further includes performing, in a repeating fashion until an abort criterion has been satisfied, determining a new compensation curve using a previously-determined compensation curve and individual position indications of the plurality of routes, wherein determining the new compensation curve is performed independently of an order of position indications in one of the respective routes and being independent of the fact that a position indication used is assigned to a route from the plurality of routes, and outputting the new compensation curve as the lane course. | 02-11-2016 |
20160041556 | APPARATUS, METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND USER DEVICE FOR ENABLING CONTROL OF A VEHICLE - An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the method comprises: processing circuitry; and memory circuitry including computer program code; the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least to perform: identifying at least one user device associated with a user;
| 02-11-2016 |
20160041560 | LOCALIZED DYNAMIC SWARMING FOR AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT REDUCTION - A method, system, and apparatus to detect when one or more moving vehicles are close to a first vehicle, and to take necessary actions to maintain a minimum distance between vehicles in a dynamic environment by automatic navigation. A computer method and apparatus for automobile accident reduction by maintaining a minimum distance with respect to all nearby vehicles on the road. In addition, methods to synchronously move a group of vehicles on a highway through a swarming action where each vehicle keeps a region immediately around it free of other vehicles while maintaining the speed of the vehicle immediately in front or nearby is also disclosed. | 02-11-2016 |
20160091898 | Intelligent Control Apparatus, System, and Method of Use - Provided are systems and methods for controlling the steering of a machine such as a mower, sprayer, raker, or snow plow. A control system may comprise a unitary structure such as a tablet computer may be removably attached with the machine, the control system tracking movement of the machine over an area using GPS systems or the like and then automatically calculating, storing, and transmitting optimized travel paths that minimize the distance traveled by the machine for subsequent movements of the machine over the same area. Systems may automatically detect excluded areas within the area, and may automatically update optimized travel paths during subsequent uses at the option of a user. Path data and other information may be stored remotely and access thereto controlled by a service provider. Record-replay functionality is disclosed. | 03-31-2016 |
20160129907 | DRIVING PATH PLANNING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE - 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. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132058 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AVOIDING OBSTACLE FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE - A system and method of avoiding an obstacle for an autonomous vehicle is provided. The system includes an valid trajectory generation unit configured to generate a circle in which the vehicle is located in a center position of a circle, calculate a rotatable range of the vehicle, and generate an valid trajectory estimated that the vehicle passes based on the generated circle and rotatable range; an obstacle detection unit configured to detect the obstacle located in front of the vehicle; and a driving path control unit configured to control a driving path of the vehicle when a position of the detected obstacle is included within the generated valid trajectory. | 05-12-2016 |
20160139600 | AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE REFUELING LOCATOR - An automated driving system can determine, based on input from one or more sensors disposed on an autonomous vehicle, a required fuel level to complete a planned vehicle path and a current fuel level for the autonomous vehicle. If the current fuel level is below the required fuel level, the automated driving system can identify one or more refueling stations and send an indication to a driver of the autonomous vehicle requesting selection of one of the identified refueling stations. If a refueling station selection is received, the automated driving system can update the planned vehicle path to include a stop at the selected refueling station. If a refueling station selection is not received, the automated driving system can determine a critical fuel level. If the current fuel level falls below the critical fuel level, the automated driving system can drive the autonomous vehicle to a proximate refueling station. | 05-19-2016 |
20160170410 | DRIVING ASSISTANCE DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
20160187886 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED TRANSPORTATION OF ITEMS BETWEEN VARIABLE ENDPOINTS - An automated system for transporting items between variable endpoints includes a guidance system for identifying the endpoints and at least one autonomous mobile robot interacting with the guidance system for automatically moving items between the endpoints. The at least one robot is configured to (a) collect an item to be transported at a source end point, (b) travel to a destination endpoint utilizing the guidance system to locate the destination endpoint, (c) deliver the item to the destination endpoint, and (d) repeat (a) through (c) for a given set of items. The guidance system is dynamically reconfigurable to identify new endpoints. | 06-30-2016 |
20160195875 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME | 07-07-2016 |
20160252904 | DRIVING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS AND MOUNTING APPARATUS | 09-01-2016 |
20160375901 | System and Method for Controlling Semi-Autonomous Vehicles - A method for controlling a semi-autonomous vehicle modifies a current path for the vehicle desired by a driver of the vehicle. The current path starts at a current position of the vehicle and ends in a target position of the vehicle and the method modifies the current path while preserving the current position and the target position of the vehicle in the modified path. The method overrides the actions of the driver to control a movement of the vehicle according to the modified path. | 12-29-2016 |
20180022347 | REAR CAMERA STUB DETECTION | 01-25-2018 |
20180024553 | CONTROLLING ERROR CORRECTED PLANNING METHODS FOR OPERATING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES | 01-25-2018 |
20180024562 | LOCALIZING VEHICLE NAVIGATION USING LANE MEASUREMENTS | 01-25-2018 |
20180024565 | NAVIGATING A VEHICLE USING A CROWDSOURCED SPARSE MAP | 01-25-2018 |
20190141878 | PATH PLANNING SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMOUS OFF-ROAD VEHICLES | 05-16-2019 |
20190145787 | ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND ADMINISTERING A MODIFICATION TO SELF DRIVEN VEHICLES | 05-16-2019 |
20190146495 | DRIVER ASSISTING SYSTEM | 05-16-2019 |
20190146499 | Transportation Method and Transportation System for Controlling an Automated Guided Vehicle | 05-16-2019 |
20190146508 | DYNAMIC VEHICLE ROUTING USING ANNOTATED MAPS AND PROFILES | 05-16-2019 |
20190146510 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE MANOEUVERS | 05-16-2019 |
20190146512 | RECHARGING AN AIRCRAFT IN A REGION USING AREAS OF INCREASED SUNLIGHT WITHIN THE REGION | 05-16-2019 |
20220135025 | PARKING ASSIST DEVICE - A parking assist device is configured to assist auto-parking for a plurality of self-driving vehicles. The device includes: a guide setting unit configured to set a guide route for each of the plurality of self-driving vehicles; an abnormality detecting unit configured to detect abnormality relating to parking assist; a non-overlapping setting unit configured to, when the abnormality concerning a particular vehicle of the plurality of self-driving vehicle is detected, set a non-overlapping route, as the guide route, for the particular vehicle such that the non-overlapping route does not overlap with any other guide routes set for remaining self-driving vehicles; and a route transmission unit configured to transmit the guide route to each of the plurality of self-driving vehicles. | 05-05-2022 |
20220135072 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA-DRIVEN AND MODULAR DECISION MAKING AND TRAJECTORY GENERATION OF AN AUTONOMOUS AGENT - A system for data-driven, modular decision making and trajectory generation includes a computing system. A method for data-driven, modular decision making and trajectory generation includes: receiving a set of inputs; selecting a learning module such as a deep decision network and/or a deep trajectory network from a set of learning modules; producing an output based on the learning module; repeating any or all of the above processes; and/or any other suitable processes. Additionally or alternatively, the method can include training any or all of the learning modules; validating one or more outputs; and/or any other suitable processes and/or combination of processes. | 05-05-2022 |
20220135082 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS INTERACTION BETWEEN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE AND A MOBILE DEVICE - A user can request, via an electronic communication, an autonomous vehicle, such as a taxi, using a mobile device. Once the autonomous vehicle arrives at a pickup location, a wireless electronic communication connection is established between the autonomous vehicle and the mobile device. The autonomous vehicle then generates an audible or visual cue to the user. The mobile direct generates a corresponding audible, visual, or tactile cue as directed via the established wireless electronic communication connection. In this way, the user is able to readily identify which autonomous vehicle is the one requested. In further embodiments the mobile device cue duplicates a pattern of the autonomous vehicle cue or the autonomous vehicle cue and the mobile device cue operate in a call and response fashion. | 05-05-2022 |
20220139229 | PLATOONING CONTROLLER, SERVER, AND METHOD THEREOF - A platooning controller, a server, and a method thereof are provided. The platooning controller includes a processor that automatically per forms a process for platooning and a storage storing data obtained by the processor and an algorithm run by the processor. The processor determines a probability that a forward vehicle will platoon during platooning and controls an inter-vehicle distance from the forward vehicle depending on a state of the forward vehicle, when it is possible for the forward vehicle to platoon and determines a probability that a following vehicle will platoon during the platooning and transmits platooning information to the following vehicle depending on a role of a host vehicle, when it is possible for the following vehicle to platoon. | 05-05-2022 |