Patents Examined by Jamie Figueroa
  • Patent number: 8116929
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor has a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is positioned at a vehicle equipped with the imaging system and has a field of view exteriorly of the equipped vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture image data, and the control processes the captured image data. The control, responsive to the processing of the captured image data, may distinguish an object present in the field of view of the imaging array sensor from a shadow present in the field of view of the imaging array sensor. The control, responsive at least in part to the processing of the captured image data, determines an object of interest present in the field of view of the imaging array sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman
  • Patent number: 8065053
    Abstract: An improved image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. The processors are further configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of the extracted feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 8065048
    Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided that can determine the communication protocol being used by diagnostic systems in a vehicle. The tool can automatically communicate with onboard computer of the diagnostic system in a first communication protocol and if unsuccessful, then can communicate with the diagnostic system in a second communication protocol. The tool can also determine the Baud rate of the communication protocol being used by the onboard computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Bertosa, Michael Gessner, Neil Somos
  • Patent number: 8065073
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating predictions of future traffic conditions at multiple future times, such as by using probabilistic techniques to assess various input data while repeatedly producing future time series predictions for each of numerous road segments (e.g., in a real-time manner based on changing current conditions for a network of roads in a given geographic area). In some situations, one or more predictive Bayesian models and corresponding decision trees are automatically created for use in generating the future traffic condition predictions for each geographic area of interest, such as based on observed historical traffic conditions for those geographic areas. Predicted future traffic condition information may then be used in a variety of ways to assist in travel and for other purposes, such as to plan optimal routes through a network of roads based on predictions about traffic conditions for the roads at multiple future times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Inrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver B. Downs, Craig H. Chapman, Alec Barker
  • Patent number: 8060256
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus allowing a moving robot to localize a user, or localizing the moving robot from a fixed location, and a method and medium thereof. The apparatus includes a motion controller to control the moving robot such that the sensor passes a plurality of measurement points by rotating the moving robot, a distance measuring unit, which includes the sensor that senses predetermined waves generated from the transmitter, to measure distances between the sensor and the transmitter at the plurality of measurement points, a rotational angle measuring unit to measure rotational angles of the moving robot at the measurement points, and a location calculator to calculate relative locations using input values of the measured distances, the measured rotational angles, and the radius of a circle determined by the sensor resulting from the rotation of the moving robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-geon Kong, Seok-won Bang, Hyeon Myeong
  • Patent number: 8041479
    Abstract: A suspension system including: (a) a suspension spring; (b) a shock absorber; and (c) a generator for generating a displacement force forcing sprung and unsprung members of a vehicle to be displaced toward or away from each other. The generator includes (c-1) an elastic body connected one of the sprung and unsprung members and (c-2) an actuator disposed between the elastic body and the other of the sprung and unsprung members. The actuator includes a motor, and is operable to generate an actuator force based on a motor force generated by the motor, such that the generated actuator force acts on the elastic body and such that the generated actuator force is transmitted to the sprung and unsprung members via the elastic body so as to act as the displacement force. The suspension system further includes (d) a controller for controlling operation of the motor so as to control the displacement force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuuichi Buma
  • Patent number: 8036792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a set steering angle ?o of steered wheels of a vehicle comprising a tractor and a trailer that is articulated with regard to the tractor. This method makes it possible to produce a set value that can be used for various purposes. This set value can thus be used for controlling an actuator acting upon the steering angle or for being communicated in order to inform the driver. According to the invention, during reversing maneuvers: based on a target point C via which the driver would like the path of the vehicle to pass, an angle set value ?c between the axes of the trailer and of the tractor is determined according to said target point C and to the dimensions of the vehicle, and; the set steering angle ? of the steered wheels is determined according to a servo-system causing the measured angle ? between the axis of the trailer and the tractor to tend toward said angle set value ?c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Francois Dechamp
  • Patent number: 8010261
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically correcting a steering command from an auto guidance system to adjust for misalignments between the crop rows and the header due to errors which may include, but are not limited to a stack up of errors from the remote positioning system information translation, planter and harvester machine centerline differences, harvesting and planting pattern differences, and the like, that integrates row sensor information into the auto guidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brubaker
  • Patent number: 7991522
    Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is disposed at an exterior rearview mirror assembly at a side of the vehicle with a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image exterior of the vehicle. The control may process the captured images and may determine that the imaging array sensor is misaligned when the imaging array sensor is disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly at the side of the vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of misalignment of the imaging array sensor, may at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging array sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins-Luthman