Patents Examined by Calvin Cheung
  • Patent number: 11954628
    Abstract: The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and Internet of Things system for smart gas safety inspection route based on a Geographic Information System (GIS). The method is executed by a smart gas safety management platform of the Internet of Things system, comprising: determining track information of an inspector according to location data of the inspector; in response to the track information satisfying a preset requirement, determining a recommended inspection route based on the track information and gas monitoring data, and prompt the recommended inspection route through a display screen based on a first display parameter; in response to the track information not satisfying the preset requirement, determining a display condition of the display screen based on a second display parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Yaqiang Quan, Bin Liu
  • Patent number: 11952000
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes device controllers that output control signals to in-vehicle devices based on a target motion set by a target motion setter based on input from the sensors, and a device failure diagnostic unit provided between the device controllers and the in-vehicle devices in a communication path of an arithmetic unit, in which the device failure diagnostic unit has a device diagnostic table in which the in-vehicle devices associated with each function are specified for each function of the vehicle, and diagnoses a failure of the in-vehicle devices based on output of the in-vehicle devices and the device diagnostic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kurokawa, Tetsuhiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11953907
    Abstract: The invention provides an autonomous surface treatment vehicle, e.g. a floor cleaner, with an autonomy system navigating according to a map, a scanning sensor to detect a position of an obstacle within a scanning zone and generate a detection signal. A safety system is arranged to generate a safety stop in case the detection signal indicates an obstacle within a safety zone. The safety system can enter a special mode of operation, e.g. upon request from the autonomy system, where a special safety zone selection algorithm selects the safety zone e.g. from a special set of pre-determined safety zones. Especially, such special mode can provide safety zones with a relaxed speed limit in combination with a restricted direction limit, so as to provide a faster driving near a wall or similar known obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Nilfisk A/S
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Rasmus Pedersen
  • Patent number: 11952027
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a train identification system and method, and a train safety inspection system and method. The train identification system includes: a remote detection component, configured to acquire overall feature information of an inspected train through remote monitoring; and an identification device, configured to determine at least one of a type and a traveling situation of the inspected train according to the acquired overall feature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yanwei Xu, Weifeng Yu, Yu Hu, Shangmin Sun
  • Patent number: 11951867
    Abstract: A system includes a first battery in a vehicle. The vehicle is capable of being coupled at least temporarily with a second, removable battery and is powered by at least one of the first or the second battery. The system also includes a controller in the vehicle which is configured to estimate an amount of travel-related charge based at least in part on a pickup and drop off location. It is decided whether to charge the first battery using the second battery based at least in part on the amount of travel-related charge and a measured amount of stored charge in the second battery. If it is decided to do so, the first battery is charged using the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, Damon Vander Lind
  • Patent number: 11947769
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system that collects customer data in a way that creates a shared experience. More specifically, an interactive map for customer engagement is provided. In some embodiments, this information may be displayed at the establishment for other customers to view. This system and method may receive and save addresses to show where customers may originate from. Displaying an interactive map may allow a company to gather data from their customers while engaging the customers in a social sharing platform. This may increase the likelihood that a customer may provide the data and increase a sense of community within a customer pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: William D. Mixon
  • Patent number: 11932237
    Abstract: A method for assisting a maneuvering procedure of a motor vehicle in a parking garage is disclosed, wherein the motor vehicle moves within the parking garage during the maneuvering procedure from a drop-off site in the parking garage to a predetermined position in the parking garage, wherein the maneuvering procedure of the motor vehicle is monitored by at least one sensor of the motor vehicle, comprising the steps: establishing a communication link between a controller of the motor vehicle and a vehicle-external unit of the parking garage; transmitting climate-specific measured data that are acquired by at least one measuring point in the parking garage from the at least one measuring point to the vehicle-external unit, and calibrating the at least one sensor of the motor vehicle depending on the climate-specific measured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Tilo Ernesti, Thorben Günzel, Daniel Mossau
  • Patent number: 11930726
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking missed tassels left by a detasseling machine. Rear-facing image data is captured by a camera positioned with a field of view behind the detasseling machine and image processing is applied to the rear-facing image data to quantity a missed tassel metric for a geospatial area. An indication of the missed tassel metric is displayed to an operator of the detasseling machine. In some implementations, the displayed indication of the missed tassel metric is updated in near real-time as the detasseling machine continue to operate in the crop field as an accumulated total missed tassel percentage for the entire crop field and/or as a missed tassel map indicating a percentage of missed tassels for each of a plurality of different geospatial sub-areas in the crop field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert E. Lorentzen, Michael M. Miller, Kent A. Klemme
  • Patent number: 11934188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, to a device, and to a computer-readable storage medium with instructions for monitoring the movement of a transportation device. In one embodiment, first, information about the trajectory of the transportation device is received by a mobile device. The trajectory is then displayed on a display unit of the mobile device in the form of an augmented reality representation. In response thereto, an input of the user of the mobile device for influencing the trajectory is detected. Finally, information is transmitted to the transportation device on the basis of the input of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andro Kleen, Johannes Tümler, Adrian Haar, Robert Jan Wyszka
  • Patent number: 11933622
    Abstract: A system and method provides a route and turn-by-turn directions based on estimates of current and future traffic along the route. A client device may request turn-by-turn directions between an initial and a final location. A server may identify a plurality of routes between the locations. Each route of the plurality of routes may be divided into route segments. For each route segment of a particular route, the server may estimate a travel time. The travel time may be based on estimated vehicle volume data generated from information received from other users vehicle Based on the estimated travel time for each route segment of a particular route, the server may estimate a total travel time for the particular route. The server may repeat this estimate for each of the plurality of routes between the locations and select the route with the lowest estimated travel time. Based on the selected route, the server may generate turn-by-turn directions and transmit the directions to the client device for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: David M. Barth
  • Patent number: 11922341
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling autonomous vehicles are provided. Assisted autonomy tasks facilitated by operators for a plurality of autonomous vehicles can be tracked in order to generate operator attributes for each of a plurality of operators. The attributes for an operator can be based on tracking one or more respective assisted autonomy tasks facilitated by the operator. The operator attributes can be used to facilitate enhanced remote operations for autonomous vehicles. For example, request parameters can be obtained in response to a request for remote assistance associated with an autonomous vehicle. An operator can be selected to assist with autonomy tasks for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the operator attributes for the operator and the request parameters associated with the request. Remote assistance for the first autonomous vehicle can be initiated, facilitated by the first operator in response to the request for remote assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Shanshi Chen, Samann Ghorbanian-Matloob, Brent Justin Goldman, Michael Guanran Huang
  • Patent number: 11924726
    Abstract: An in-vehicle control device includes a vehicle-side communication unit installed on a vehicle and communicating with at least an information processing device external to the vehicle, and a first processor. The first processor is configured to: receive an installation request for an application program from the information processing device; in a case in which the installation request has been received, notify the information processing device of a rule defining whether or not a communication frame received at the vehicle-side communication unit is unauthorized and of equipment information related to optional equipment of the vehicle; acquire the application program and a rule that has been updated based on the notified rule and the equipment information from the information processing device; and, in a case in which the updated rule has been acquired, update the rule to the updated rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Watanabe, Kunihiro Miyauchi, Hiroya Andou
  • Patent number: 11920400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (10) for a vehicle (100), comprising a control unit (11) for actuating a movable part (101), in particular a tailgate, of the vehicle (100), and a sensor unit (12) for monitoring at least one first activation region (A1), wherein the control unit (11) is designed to actuate the movable part (101) of the vehicle (100) when at least one activation action (H1, H2, H3, B1, B2) of a user in the first activation region (A1) has been sensed by the sensor unit (12). The sensor unit (12) is designed to sense the at least one activation action (H1, H2, H3, B1, B2) of the user by means of electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mönig, Sven Hild
  • Patent number: 11912145
    Abstract: This disclosure describes charging systems for electrified vehicles. Exemplary charging systems may employ a multi-voltage charging circuit that supports charging of a traction battery pack at both a first voltage level during a first charging condition and a second, different voltage level during a second charging condition. Higher voltage levels may be experienced during the second charging condition as compared to the first charging condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Mackenzie, Jonathan Barker, Thomas J. Coupar
  • Patent number: 11912306
    Abstract: A method helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (10) equipped with an automated driving system (200) and a vehicle safety system (100) by detecting low impact crash events (99) with the vehicle (10). The method includes utilizing automated driving sensors (220, 230, 240, 250, 260) of the automated driving system (200) to identify possible low impact collision risks. The method also includes utilizing vehicle safety system sensors (110, 115, 120, 125, 130) of the vehicle safety system to determine a low impact collision resulting from the identified possible low impact collision. A vehicle safety system (100) includes an airbag controller unit (150) configured to implement the method to determine low impact crash events with the vehicle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Steven Kanzler, Kiran Balasubramanian, Carl Munch, Andreas Fleckner, Harald Pfriender, Michal Duchowski, Charles Bartlett, Huahn-Fern Yeh
  • Patent number: 11904851
    Abstract: The present invention is provided to more reliably keep a work vehicle from coming into contact with an obstacle during automated driving. The work vehicle includes an electronic control system for automated driving that automatically drives the vehicle body. The electronic control system includes an obstacle detection module configured to detect presence or absence of an obstacle, and a contact avoidance control unit configured to perform, upon the obstacle detection module detecting an obstacle, contact avoidance control to keep the vehicle body from coming into contact with the obstacle. The obstacle detection module includes a plurality of obstacle searchers that are distributed on the front end portion and the right and left end portions of the vehicle body such that the front side and the right and left lateral sides of the vehicle body are search-target areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka, Atsushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11904754
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for enabling an autonomous vehicle to provide road assistance to a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can analyze sensor data about the vehicle captured by one or more of its sensors as it navigates a route. Based on the analysis of the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle can determine that the vehicle needs maintenance. The autonomous vehicle can proactively send a request, based on the determination, to initiate a towing mechanism to tow the vehicle. Based on receiving an acceptance of the request from the vehicle, the autonomous vehicle can activate the towing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Govindarajan Krishnamurthi
  • Patent number: 11905032
    Abstract: Provided is an aircraft, a system, and a method whereby the visibility of the aircraft from a predetermined point can be improved. The aircraft includes at least one memory and at least one processor. Program code includes control code configured to cause the at least one processor to perform orientation change control for causing a first face to face a predetermined point, the first face being a face of the aircraft and having a predetermined color, or display control for causing an image of the predetermined color to be displayed on a second face, the second face being a display surface of a display device of the aircraft and a partial face or an entire face facing the predetermined point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Tazume
  • Patent number: 11899411
    Abstract: A method includes determining a current state of an environment of an autonomous agent, such as a vehicle. The method also includes determining, via a first neural network, a set of actions based on the current state. The method further includes determining whether further analysis of the set of actions is desired. The method selects an action from the set of actions using a model-based solution based on a reward and a risk of the action when further analysis is desired. The method also includes selecting the action from the set of actions according to a metric when further analysis is not desired. The method controls the autonomous agent to perform the selected action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohammad Naghshvar, Ahmed Kamel Sadek, Auke Joris Wiggers
  • Patent number: 11899453
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that control the motion of an autonomous vehicle by rewarding or otherwise encouraging progress toward a goal, rather than simply rewarding distance travelled. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can project a candidate motion plan that describes a proposed motion path for the autonomous vehicle onto a nominal pathway to determine a projected distance associated with the candidate motion plan. The systems and methods of the present disclosure can use the projected distance to evaluate a reward function that provides a reward that is positively correlated to the magnitude of the projected distance. The motion of the vehicle can be controlled based on the reward value provided by the reward function. For example, the candidate motion plan can be selected for implementation or revised based at least in part on the determined reward value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Lloyd Wilkinson, Jacob Panikulam, J. Andrew Bagnell