Control and systems for autonomously driven vehicles

US8706394B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GRAY & COMPANY, INC. · US

Inventors

• Paul Gerard Trepagnier · Metairie, US
• Jorge Emilio Nagel · New Orleans, US
• Matthew Taylor Dooner · Jefferson, US
• Neil Traft · New Orleans, US
• Sergey Drakunov · New Smyrna Beach, US
• Michael Thomas Dewenter · New Orleans, US
• Powell McVay Kinney · Slidell, US
• Aaron Lee · Seoul, KR

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 1, 2013
• Grant date: Apr 22, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 1, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D1/0278
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

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.