Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110182475 | TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAPPING AND DETECTION - A system and method provides maps identifying the 3D location of traffic lights. The position, location, and orientation of a traffic light may be automatically extrapolated from two or more images. The maps may then be used to assist robotic vehicles or human drivers to identify the location and status of a traffic signal. | 07-28-2011 |
20120310466 | SENSOR FIELD SELECTION - Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to safe and effective use of autonomous vehicles. More specifically, an autonomous vehicle | 12-06-2012 |
20130253754 | Robust Method for Detecting Traffic Signals and their Associated States - Methods and devices for detecting traffic signals and their associated states are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes a scanning a target area using one or more sensors of a vehicle to obtain target area information. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode, and the target area may be a type of area where traffic signals are typically located. The method may also include detecting a traffic signal in the target area information, determining a location of the traffic signal, and determining a state of the traffic signal. Also, a confidence in the traffic signal may be determined. For example, the location of the traffic signal may be compared to known locations of traffic signals. Based on the state of the traffic signal and the confidence in the traffic signal, the vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous mode. | 09-26-2013 |
20140016826 | TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAPPING AND DETECTION - A system and method provides maps identifying the 3D location of traffic lights. The position, location, and orientation of a traffic light may be automatically extrapolated from two or more images. The maps may then be used to assist robotic vehicles or human drivers to identify the location and status of a traffic signal. | 01-16-2014 |
20140018992 | Transitioning a Mixed-Mode Vehicle to Autonomous Mode - Disclosed are methods and devices for transitioning a mixed-mode autonomous vehicle from a human driven mode to an autonomously driven mode. Transitioning may include stopping a vehicle on a predefined landing strip and detecting a reference indicator. Based on the reference indicator, the vehicle may be able to know its exact position. Additionally, the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL. After the vehicle knows its precise location and has an autonomous vehicle instruction, it can operate in autonomous mode. | 01-16-2014 |
20140067187 | Construction Zone Detection Using a Plurality of Information Sources - Methods and systems for detection of a construction zone using information from a plurality of sources are described. In an example, a computing device, configured to control the vehicle, may be configured to receive information, from a plurality of sources, relating to detection of a construction zone on the road on which the vehicle is travelling. Also, the computing device may be configured to determine a likelihood of existence of the construction zone on the road, based on the information. Further the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle, based on the likelihood; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy. | 03-06-2014 |
20140185880 | TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAPPING AND DETECTION - A system and method provides maps identifying the 3D location of traffic lights. The position, location, and orientation of a traffic light may be automatically extrapolated from two or more images. The maps may then be used to assist robotic vehicles or human drivers to identify the location and status of a traffic signal. | 07-03-2014 |
20140277901 | Use of Uncertainty Regarding Observations of Traffic Intersections to Modify Behavior of a Vehicle - Methods and devices for using uncertainty regarding observations of traffic intersections to modify behavior of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes determining a state of a traffic intersection using information from one or more sensors of a vehicle. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode. The method may also include determining an uncertainty associated with the determined state of the traffic intersection. The method may further include controlling the vehicle in the autonomous mode based on the determined state of the traffic intersection and the determined uncertainty. | 09-18-2014 |
20140358331 | Transitioning a Mixed-Mode Vehicle to Autonomous Mode - Disclosed are methods and devices for transitioning a mixed-mode autonomous vehicle from a human driven mode to an autonomously driven mode. Transitioning may include stopping a vehicle on a predefined landing strip and detecting a reference indicator. Based on the reference indicator, the vehicle may be able to know its exact position. Additionally, the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL. After the vehicle knows its precise location and has an autonomous vehicle instruction, it can operate in autonomous mode. | 12-04-2014 |