{
  "patent_number": "US 11391826",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Car Factories Calibrate LIDAR Sensors for Self-Driving Cars",
  "original_title": "Vehicle LIDAR sensor calibration system",
  "summary": "This patent describes a system for car factories to precisely adjust a vehicle's LIDAR sensors using special floor and wall targets, ensuring they accurately map the world for features like self-driving.",
  "what_it_does": "This calibration system helps car manufacturers accurately set up LIDAR sensors in new vehicles. It uses a horizontal target on the ground and a vertical target, both with distinct patterns of markers, placed in a special 'end of line calibration region' at the factory (Claim 1). When a vehicle is in this spot, its LIDAR sensor detects these markers (Claim 1). By processing the data from the LIDAR, the system figures out the exact positions of these markers relative to the vehicle (Claim 1). Based on these determined locations, the system then calculates any misalignment in the LIDAR sensor's 'roll,' 'pitch,' and 'yaw' (Claim 1). Finally, it adjusts the LIDAR system to correct these misalignments (Claim 1). For example, if a LIDAR sensor is slightly tilted down (pitch) or rotated to the side (yaw), this system can detect that and correct it before the car leaves the factory.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover calibration systems that only use a single target (e.g., only horizontal or only vertical), as it requires both a horizontal and a vertical target (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover calibration performed outside of a vehicle assembly facility's 'end of line calibration region' (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover systems that calibrate LIDAR sensors without determining misalignment across 'roll,' 'pitch,' and 'yaw' axes (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover calibration methods that do not rely on light reflecting targets arranged in predetermined patterns (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover calibration for sensors other than LIDAR, such as cameras or radar, or for LIDAR sensors that do not sense forward of the vehicle (Claim 2)."
  ],
  "filed": "2018-09-27",
  "granted": "2022-07-19",
  "expires": "2038-09-27",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Magna Electronics",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/magna-electronics",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Jagmal Singh",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jagmal-singh"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 4,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software",
    "telecommunications"
  ],
  "abstract": "A calibration system for calibrating a LIDAR sensing system of a vehicle includes a plurality of light reflecting targets disposed at a ground surface at an end of line calibration region of a vehicle assembly facility. The light reflecting targets are arranged at the ground surface in a predetermined pattern. When a vehicle equipped with a LIDAR sensing system is at the calibration region, the light reflecting targets are in the field of sensing of at least one LIDAR sensor of the LIDAR sensing system of the vehicle. Responsive to processing of data sensed by the at least one LIDAR sensor, the calibration system determines the locations of the light reflecting targets and determines misalignment of the LIDAR sensor and calibrates the LIDAR sensing system to accommodate the determined misalignment.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11391826/vehicle-lidar-sensor-calibration-system",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11391826/vehicle-lidar-sensor-calibration-system/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US11391826",
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}