1116 results about "Autonomous control" patented technology

A navigation and control system including one or more position sensors configured to generate position signals indicative of the location and heading of a vehicle. The system includes one or more operation control mechanisms having inputs and producing outputs which control an operation of the vehicle and includes a self-contained autonomous controller disposed remote from the operation control mechanisms. The autonomous controller includes a processor configured to receive the position signals from the position sensors and to generate operation control signals defining an updated travel path for the vehicle, and a programmable interface providing communication among the position sensors, the operation control mechanisms, and the processor. The programmable interface 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, whereby the self-contained autonomous controller is configurable for operation with a variety of different sensors and different operation control mechanisms.

An emergency vehicle traffic light preemption system for preemption of traffic lights at an intersection to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles. The system includes a real-time status monitor of an intersection which is relayed to a control module for transmission to emergency vehicles as well as to a central dispatch office. The system also provides for audio warnings at an intersection to protect pedestrians who may not be in a position to see visual warnings or for various reasons cannot hear the approach of emergency vehicles. A transponder mounted on an emergency vehicle provides autonomous control so the vehicle operator can attend to getting to an emergency and not be concerned with the operation of the system. Activation of a priority-code (i.e. Code-3) situation provides communications with each intersection being approached by an emergency vehicle and indicates whether the intersection is preempted or if there is any conflict with other approaching emergency vehicles. On-board diagnostics handle various information including heading, speed, and acceleration sent to a control module which is transmitted to an intersection and which also simultaneously receives information regarding the status of an intersection. Real-time communications and operations software allow central and remote monitoring, logging, and command of intersections and vehicles.

Systems and methods for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle are described. In one embodiment, there is a mechanical control system that receives manual inputs from a mechanical operation member to operate the vehicle in manual mode. There is further an actuator that receives autonomous control signals generated by a controller. When the actuator is engaged, it operates the vehicle in an autonomous mode, and when disengaged, it operates the vehicle in manual mode. In another embodiment, there is an E-Stop system to disengage systems that cause the vehicle to move, such as the engine, while still leaving power in the systems that do not cause the vehicle to move. There is a method for autonomous mode starting of a vehicle, comprising receiving a signal indicating autonomous mode, determining that a parking brake lever is set and the brakes are engaged, disengaging the brakes while maintaining the lever in the set position, and engaging in autonomous mode. There is a safety system with a mechanical bias to suppress moveable systems of the vehicle, comprising a clutch that releases the mechanical bias to permit movement of the moveable system when the clutch is engaged. In another embodiment a system comprises a mechanical linkage with a restoration member that permits control of an operation system of the vehicle by a remote operation member when the restoration member is engaged. There is also an actuator that prohibits control of the operation system by the remote operation member when the actuator is engaged.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and / or autonomous control. A computing device may receive communications from autonomous vehicles, where the communications include data for the same road segment, including an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may combine the data for the same road segment to generate an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a mobile device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the mobile device.

An emergency vehicle traffic light preemption system for preemption of traffic lights at an intersection to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles. The system includes a real-time status monitor of an intersection which is relayed to a control module for transmission to emergency vehicles as well as to a central dispatch office. The system also provides for audio warnings at an intersection to protect pedestrians who may not be in a position to see visual warnings or for various reasons cannot hear the approach of emergency vehicles. A transponder mounted on an emergency vehicle provides autonomous control so the vehicle operator can attend to getting to an emergency and not be concerned with the operation of the system. Activation of a priority-code (i.e. Code-3) situation provides communications with each intersection being approached by an emergency vehicle and indicates whether the intersection is preempted or if there is any conflict with other approaching emergency vehicles. On-board diagnostics handle various information including heading, speed, and acceleration sent to a control module which is transmitted to an intersection and which also simultaneously receives information regarding the status of an intersection. Real-time communications and operations software allow central and remote monitoring, logging, and command of intersections and vehicles.

Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and / or autonomous control. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

A toy system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A toy vehicle or mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the toy vehicle and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the toy vehicle can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the toy vehicle, whereupon the microcontroller of the toy vehicle controls detailed movement of the toy vehicle on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the toy vehicle to implement the action on the drivable surface.

Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.

Methods and systems incorporating non-linear dynamic (NLD) analysis such as entropy or other complexity analysis monitoring continuous or evoked signals from a biological subject are presented, where such a system comprises of processing steps including: a) the combination of a biological signal evoked as a result of patient stimulation presented to a biological subject and a non-linear analysis method capable of capturing temporal changes in signal order or regularity; b) any combination of processed evoked or continuous central nervous or peripheral physiological mechanisms b) a means to generate a measure indicative of a patient's level of anaesthesia and consciousness depth (A&CD), sedation or sleep / wake state. Methods and systems incorporating a NLD analysis means to improve the discrimination between different signals origins including any combination of: a) central nervous system (CNS), b) peripheral control or nervous system (PNS), c) autonomic control or nervous system (ANS), d) arousals, and e) artifacts.

Programming and development infrastructure for an autonomic element is provided. The system includes a control plane (ISAC), a host server, a management console, and a module development environment. The ISAC contains an Autonomic Controller Engine (ACE) and management module(s). The management module is comprised of a set of scenarios. The ISAC is embedded in a control plane.

A small, reusable interceptor unmanned air vehicle (UAV), an avionics control system for the UAV, a design method for the UAV and a method for controlling the UAV, for interdiction of small scale air, water and ground threats. The UAV includes a high performance airframe with integrated weapon and avionics platforms. Design of the UAV first involves the selection of a suitable weapon, then the design of the interceptor airframe to achieve weapon aiming via airframe maneuvering. The UAV utilizes an avionics control system that is vehicle-centric and, as such, provides for a high degree of autonomous control of the UAV. A situational awareness processor has access to a suite of disparate sensors that provide data for intelligently (autonomously) carrying out various mission scenarios. A flight control processor operationally integrated with the situational awareness processor includes a pilot controller and an autopilot controller for flying and maneuvering the UAV.

A power management system and method for multiple redundant power supplies. The present invention provides management and control of N+M power supplies, where N represents the minimum number of power supplies required and where M is the number of redundant power supplies (M>1), where any one of the power supplies may be capable of supplying power to all the loads of the power subsystems. In the preferred embodiment each power subsystem includes a power supply and a controller coupled to a power bus. A communication bus is provided common to each power subsystem. During reset or power-on periods, the controllers are programmed to uniquely delay the start time of each power supply, thereby protecting against an overcurrent / overvoltage condition on the power bus during reset periods. A master controller is provided to monitor normal operating conditions of the power subsystems and communication bus. The master controller is programmed to ensure that a predetermined number of power supplies are coupled to the power bus, even in the event of total or partial communication failure.

The present invention relates to a controller for providing a vehicle with autonomous control. The controller preferably provides path planning to an autonomous vehicle.

An environmental survey robot suitable for wireless communicating with a survey action management center having a geographic information system to scheme an advance route with multiple check points is provided. The environmental survey robot includes a moving vehicle, a controlling computer, a wireless communication network, a Global positioning system, an environment detector, a solar cell and a power controller. The wireless communication network receives the advance route from the detecting action management center, and the controlling computer autonomously controls the moving vehicle to move in accordance with the advance route. The environmental detector is suitable for detecting the environment information and sending the same to the controlling computer. When the electricity of the solar cell is less than a predetermined value, the power controller will send the signal to the controlling computer such that the action controller will stop the action of the moving vehicle.

Provided is a method for use by a driving assistance apparatus that assists a transition from an autonomous driving mode in which a vehicle is driven under autonomous control to a manual driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by a driver. The method includes: detecting an activity by the driver; detecting conditions of the driver; and determining a take-over request method which is a method of presenting, in the vehicle, a take-over request that informs the driver that the autonomous driving mode is going to be cancelled, the determining being based on at least the detected activity by the driver and the detected conditions.

A robot based on Wi-Fi includes a robot body which is a crawling car formed by a carriage (14) and a crawling running mechanism (13); wherein, a mechanical hand (6) is arranged on the carriage (14); the mechanical hand (6) is connected and fixed in the middle at the front part on the top surface of the carriage (14); the robot also includes a robot control system; the system takes an ARM9 series embedded microprocessor as a core and the periphery of the system is respectively provided with an electric compass, a GPS module, a CCD vidicon, a sensor group, a Wi-Fi module, a robot body controller and a mechanical hand controller. One surface of the Wi-Fi module receives external control command and the other surface encrypts the video image captured by the CCD vidicon in the sensor group and transmits to the outside; the microprocessor can automatically control a robot body controller and a mechanical hand controller to finish the tasks of patrolling, fault removing, rescuing and alarming; the microprocessor can also remotely control the robot body controller and the mechanical hand controller to finish the tasks of patrolling, fault removing, rescuing and alarming.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.

An emergency vehicle traffic light preemption system for preemption of traffic lights at an intersection to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles. The system includes a real-time status monitor of an intersection which is relayed to a communications controller for transmission to emergency vehicles as well as to a central dispatch office. The system also provides for audio warnings at an intersection to protect pedestrians who may not be in a position to see visual warnings or for various reasons cannot hear the approach of emergency vehicles. A transponder mounted on an emergency vehicle provides autonomous control so the vehicle operator can attend to getting to an emergency and not be concerned with the operation of the system. Activation of a Code 3 situation provides communications with each intersection being approached by an emergency vehicle and indicates whether the intersection is preempted or if there is any conflict with other approaching emergency vehicles. On-board diagnostics handle various information including heading, speed, and acceleration sent to a communications controller which is transmitted to an intersection and which also simultaneously receives information regarding the status of an intersection.

Techniques for identifying and labeling distinct objects within 3-D images of environments in which vehicles operate, to thereby generate training data used to train models that autonomously control and / or operate vehicles, are disclosed. A 3-D image may be presented from various perspective views (in some cases, dynamically), and / or may be presented with a corresponding 2-D environment image in a side-by-side and / or a layered manner, thereby allowing a user to more accurately identify groups / clusters of data points within the 3-D image that represent distinct objects. Automatic identification / delineation of various types of objects depicted within 3-D images, automatic labeling of identified / delineated objects, and automatic tracking of objects across various frames of a 3-D video are disclosed. A user may modify and / or refine any automatically generated information. Further, at least some of the techniques described herein are equally applicable to 2-D images.

The invention discloses a flying robot used for detecting transmission line insulator in the field of aircraft control and image transmission technique. The technical proposal is that the flying robot used for detecting the transmission line insulator consists of a three-axis aircraft or four-axis aircraft, a flying control system and an objective recognition system; the power part of the three-axis aircraft consists of three pairs of airscrews, three coaxial motors and three supporting arms; the power part of the four-axis aircraft consists of 4 direct-drive brushless motors and four airscrews; the flying control system consists of an on-board self-control system and a ground station control system; the objective recognition system consists of on-board mission load and a ground image processing system. By installing a precise navigation system on the flying robot, the flying robot exactly flies in the space above the insulator to be detected; by adopting the image gaining and transmission system, the zero-value insulator is exactly detected, the labor intensity is lightened, and the safety of the detection personnel is improved during the detection process.

The invention relates to a nuclear power plant working robot and a control system thereof, which belong to the fields of robots and automation equipment. The nuclear power plant working robot is a crawler-type mobile manipulator and is composed of a mobile platform driven by double crawlers and a four freedom degree manipulator carried on the mobile platform. The nuclear power plant working robot can move inside a nuclear power plant, has two control modes of manual remote control and autonomous control, and is remotely controlled by a wireless or wired mode. The control system of the nuclear power plant working robot includes a host monitoring and planning control system and a robot control system which are matched to control the operation of the robot. The robot operates autonomously, is safe and reliable, can complete certain dangerous tasks in high radioactivity environment; the robot has small size, stable performance, great maneuverability and low operation cost; a crawler-type chassis has strong gripping force as well as certain climbing and obstacle clearing ability, and is suitable to walking over complex terrains; and the robot has high intelligence degree and can realize autonomous control and manual remote control.

The present invention provides energy-saving interior lighting wireless intelligent control system based on ZigBee wireless communication technology and the control method. The control method is comprises of ZigBee communication network composed of a plurality of wireless network nodes and PC machine; the wireless network node comprises coordinator node, route node and terminal node; the coordinator node is connected with the PC machine to compose lighting control center; the unique coordinator node and all the route nodes compose the two-level network; the route node and the terminal node in the room compose the lighting sub-system for controlling the lighting mode of each room; the lighting control center controls the state of each node of the lighting sub-system and the preset lighting mode; the lighting sub-system automatically controls the lighting mode in the current room according to the collected environmental information. The present invention causes the lighting control to be intelligent, ensures the illuminance consistency; and the luminaires have long life, convenient management, low maintenance cost and are energy conservation and environmental protection.

A method for training an operator to control a powered system is disclosed including operating the powered system with an autonomous controller, and informing an operator of a change in operation of the powered system as the change in operation occurs. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for training the operator to control the powered system.

A number of luminaires can be communicably coupled and networked. Some or all of the luminaires may be equipped with a number of sensors including motion sensors. Upon detecting motion of an object in the vicinity of a luminaire, the luminaire can increase the luminous output of the lighting subsystem in the luminaire and communicate a targeted or broadcast output signal to some or all of the remaining luminaires in the network. The output signal may variously contain data indicative of one or more parameters related to motion of the object (direction of travel, velocity, etc.) or one or more parameters related to the increased luminous output of the luminaire. Responsive to the receipt of an output signal generated by another luminaire, the luminaire may autonomously adjust the luminous output of the lighting subsystems responsive to an event detected by the other luminaire.

Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and / or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

Apparatus and methods are described for autonomously controlling fluid flow in a tubular in a wellbore. A fluid is flowed through an inlet passageway into a biasing mechanism. A fluid flow distribution is established across the biasing mechanism. The fluid flow distribution is altered in response to a change in the fluid characteristic over time. In response, fluid flow through a downstream sticky switch assembly is altered, thereby altering fluid flow patterns in a downstream vortex assembly. The method “selects” based on a fluid characteristic, such as viscosity, density, velocity, flow rate, etc. The biasing mechanism can take various forms such as a widening passageway, contour elements along the biasing mechanism, or a curved section of the biasing mechanism passageway. The biasing mechanism can include hollows formed in the passageway wall, obstructions extending from the passageway wall, fluid diodes, Tesla fluid diodes, a chicane, or abrupt changes in passageway cross-section.

A transmission power control device is provided that includes: a transmission loss calculator that calculates a transmission loss in the electric wave transmission path between a mobile station and each base station; and a transmission power control information determiner that determines which transmission power control information is to be used in a transmission power control operation at the mobile station, based on transmission power control information transmitted from each base station to the mobile station and the transmission loss in the transmission path between the mobile station and each base station calculated by the transmission loss calculator. This transmission power control device may further include an autonomous controller that increases transmission power from a current value in accordance with predetermined characteristics, regardless of transmission power control information from another communication device, when reception signal quality has become lower than a predetermined quality level. With this structure, after synchronization with a signal from the base station is established at the mobile station, the transmission power is controlled to increase from the initial value in accordance with the predetermined characteristics, regardless of the transmission power control information transmitted from the base station.