VEHICLES, VEHICLE CONTROLLER SYSTEMS, METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE, AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF VEHICLES

• US 20180010915A1
• Filed: 01/29/2016
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Singapore University Of Technology And Design
• Original Assignee: Singapore University Of Technology And Design
• Inventors: WILHELM, Erik
• Granted Patent: US 10,655,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/588 Recognition of the road, e.g. of lane markings; Recognition of the vehicle driving pattern in relation to the road

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a vehicle may be provided. The vehicle may include: a sensor configured to sense a marking, wherein the marking is at least substantially not visible to the human eye under a natural lighting condition; and a localization circuit configured to determine a location of the vehicle based on the sensing of the sensor.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a sensor configured to sense a marking, wherein the marking is at least substantially not visible to the human eye under a natural lighting condition; and

a localization circuit configured to determine a location of the vehicle based on the sensing of the sensor.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the marking comprises an engraving with a length in a range between 0.1 mm and 100 mm, and/or wherein the marking comprises an engraving with a width in a range between 0.1 mm and 100 mm.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the natural lighting condition comprises a lighting condition with light in a wavelength range between 380 nm and 780 nm.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a mapping circuit configured to determine a map of an environment of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the localization circuit and the mapping circuit are configured to carry out simultaneous localization and mapping.

17. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of an actuator,

an actuation controller configured to control actuation of the vehicle based on the determination of the localization circuit, or a failure detection circuit configured to detect a failure of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 1, to further comprising:

an exception detection circuit configured to detect an exception in an operation of the vehicle.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the exception comprises at least one item from the list of items consisting of:

the vehicle approaching a crossing;

the vehicle standing at a crossing;

the vehicle approaching a junction;

the vehicle standing at a junction;

the vehicle approaching another vehicle;

another vehicle approaching the vehicle;

an accident;

the vehicle approaching a person; and

a person approaching the vehicle.

22. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication circuit configured to communicate with a human operator when an exception is detected.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the communication circuit is further configured to receive remote control instructions from the human operator.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the vehicle is configured to operate according to the remote control instructions.

25. The vehicle of claim 24, further comprising:

a learning circuit configured to learn a desired behavior in response to an exception based on the remote control instructions.

2. (canceled)

4. The vehicle of claim, wherein the marking comprises a chemical substance which is configured to be sensed using chemosensing.

5-12. -12. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

18-19. -19. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. A vehicle controller system comprising:

a vehicle compromising;

a sensor configured to sense a marking, wherein the marking is at least substantially not visible to the human eye under a natural lighting condition; and

a localization circuit configured to determine a location of the vehicle based on the sensing of the sensor; and

a marking deposition device configured to provide a marking which is at least substantially not visible to the human eye under a natural lighting condition.

31. The vehicle controller system of claim 27, wherein the marking deposition device comprises at least one of:

an engraving device,

a marking controller configured to control providing of the marking;

a marking quality determination circuit configured to determine a quality of a marking;

or

a marking removing member configured to remove an existing marking.

28-30. -30. (canceled)

32-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A method for controlling at least one vehicle, the method comprising:

sensing a marking, wherein the marking is at least substantially not visible to the human eye under a natural lighting condition; and

determining a location of the vehicle based on the sensing.

54. The method of claim 38, further comprising at least one of:

actuating the vehicle using an actuator;

controlling actuation of the vehicle based on determining the location;

or detecting a failure of the vehicle.

64. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

providing a marking which is at least substantially not visible to the human eye under a natural lighting condition using a marker deposition device.

68. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

engraving a marking.

39-53. -53. (canceled)

55-63. -63. (canceled)

65-67. -67. (canceled)

69-74. -74. (canceled)