Patent ID: 8543261
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: B60W,G05D,G08G

Abstract:
1. A method for generating a signal that represents an assessment of threat to a mechanical device, operating in an environment, the method comprising the steps of: a. using a computer control system, using a model of the environment and a model of the device, generating at least one optimal device state trajectory from a current state through a time horizon satisfying constraints imposed by device control inputs, device dynamics, and the position of environmental hazards; b. using the computer control system, based on at least one generated optimal trajectory prediction, identifying and quantifying threat posed to the device and generating a corresponding threat assessment metric, the at least one generated optimal trajectory prediction being based at least on predicted stability of the device through the time horizon as a function of the at least one optimal device state trajectory; and c. using the computer control system, based on the threat assessment metric and at least one threat threshold relating to at least one of known, approximated, and desired stability limits and safety margins of the device, generating at least one threat assessment signal.