US5995883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Autonomous vehicle and controlling method for autonomous vehicle
Assignee: Moneual Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-06
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Granted: 1999-11-30
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Expires: 2017-06-06
Abstract
Abstract An autonomous vehicle has a distance measuring sensor that periodically measures the distance to an object using a prescribed period and it's movement is controlled in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor. A controller that controls the prescribed period based on the moving speed and the measured distance so that the prescribed period is made shorter as the moving speed increases and the distance to the object becomes shorter.
Inventors
- 👤 Masashi Nishikado
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/497; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/08; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0242; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S7/481; G01S7/4811; G01S7/4813; G05D1/0227; G05D1/0268; G05D1/0272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
An autonomous vehicle comprising: a driver that moves the vehicle body; a distance measuring sensor that periodically measures the distance to an object using a prescribed period; a speed detector that detects the moving speed of the vehicle body; and a controller that controls said prescribed period based on the moving speed detected by said speed detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
An autonomous vehicle comprising: a driver that moves the vehicle body; a distance measuring sensor that periodically measures the distance to an object using a prescribed period; a speed detector that detects the moving speed of the vehicle body; and a controller that controls said prescribed period based on the moving speed detected by said speed detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An autonomous vehicle claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller performs control such that said period becomes shorter as the moving speed of the vehicle body increases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An autonomous vehicle claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller controls said prescribed period based on the moving speed detected by said speed detector and the distance detected by said distance measuring sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An autonomous vehicle comprising: a distance measuring sensor that periodically measures the distance to an object using a prescribed period; and a controller that controls an period for driving said distance measuring sensor based on the distance to the object that is detected by the distance measuring sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An autonomous vehicle comprising: a distance measuring sensor that periodically measures the distance to an object using a prescribed period; and a controller that controls an period for driving said distance measuring sensor based on the distance to the object that is detected by the distance measuring sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An autonomous vehicle claimed in claim 4, wherein said controller performs control such that said period becomes shorter as the distance to the object decreases.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle comprising steps of: moving the autonomous vehicle; measuring the distance from the autonomous vehicle to an object; controlling the movement of the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the measured distance; determining a next measuring timing for executing a following measurement of the distance in accordance with the moving speed of the autonomous vehicle; and repeating said measuring steps, controlling step and determining step.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle comprising steps of: moving the autonomous vehicle; measuring the distance from the autonomous vehicle to an object; controlling the movement of the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the measured distance; determining a next measuring timing for executing a following measurement of the distance in accordance with the moving speed of the autonomous vehicle; and repeating said measuring steps, controlling step and determining step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method claimed in claim 6, wherein said timing is determined such that a period between the measurements of distances becomes shorter as the moving speed of the autonomous vehicle increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method claimed in claim 6, wherein said next timing is determined based on the moving speed of the autonomous vehicle and the measured distance.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle comprising steps of: moving the autonomous vehicle; measuring the distance from the autonomous vehicle to an object; controlling the movement of the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the measured distance; determining a next measuring timing for executing a following measurement of the distance in accordance with the measured distance; and repeating said measuring steps, controlling step and determining step.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle comprising steps of: moving the autonomous vehicle; measuring the distance from the autonomous vehicle to an object; controlling the movement of the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the measured distance; determining a next measuring timing for executing a following measurement of the distance in accordance with the measured distance; and repeating said measuring steps, controlling step and determining step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method claimed in claim 9, wherein said timing is determined such that a period between the measurements of distances becomes shorter as the distance to the object decreases.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |