Patents Examined by Madison B Emmett
  • Patent number: 11845444
    Abstract: A vehicle parameter estimation module is configured to generate a first estimate of a vehicle parameter based on operating conditions of a vehicle measured or estimated at a first time. The vehicle parameter includes at least one of a tire cornering stiffness of the vehicle and an understeer coefficient of the vehicle. The vehicle parameter estimation module is also configured to determine an error value based on the first estimate of the vehicle parameter and values of the vehicle operating conditions measured or estimated at a second time that is later than the first time. The vehicle parameter estimation module is further configured to generate a second estimate of the vehicle parameter based on the first estimate of the vehicle parameter and the error value. A vehicle actuator control module is configured to control an actuator of the vehicle based on the second estimate of the vehicle parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jackson Barry McGrory, Klaus Trangbaek, Zhi Li, Mohammadali Shahriari, Patrick Giancarlo Gabriel Digioacchino
  • Patent number: 11845441
    Abstract: A speed based alarm system to be used in automobiles includes a first touch sensor, a second touch sensor, a processing unit, and a notification alarm. The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are integrated into a steering wheel body of an automobile to detect the hands of the driver on the steering wheel. The feedback from the first touch sensor and/or the second touch sensor are received at the processing unit along with a vehicle speed, wherein the vehicle speed is retrieved from a vehicle logic board. The processing unit determines if the automobile is at a speed which requires both hands of the driver for better control of the automobile. If the automobile is at a speed that requires both hands of the driver, and only one hand is detected on the steering wheel, the processing unit activates the notification alarm to notify the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
    Inventor: Ahmed Salah M. Alkhoudiri
  • Patent number: 11834061
    Abstract: A driver assistance device includes a one or more processors. The one or more processors is configured to determine whether a pedal misapplication determination condition is satisfied, and output, when the one or more processors determines that the pedal misapplication determination condition is satisfied, at least one of a warning display and warning audio directly instructing a driver to release the pedal that is depressed at a point in time of outputting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Xi Chen, Kohei Morotomi
  • Patent number: 11827219
    Abstract: A motion control device for a moving body is configured to control a motion of a moving body and includes a movement distance acquisition unit, a movement distance storage unit, a movement distance prediction unit, a control determination unit, and an acceleration/deceleration control unit. The acceleration/deceleration control unit performs control of the acceleration/deceleration in the movement direction of the moving body based on a determination result on whether to suppress the acceleration/deceleration of the moving body performed by the control determination unit and the second movement distance predicted by the movement distance prediction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Tashiro, Takashi Okada
  • Patent number: 11814050
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for reversing a vehicle combination (1) comprising a towing vehicle (10) and at least one trailer (20), said method comprising: (S10) reversing the vehicle combination, (S20) determining whether a jack-knifing condition (J) is about to occur by comparing a predicted future estimate of the articulation angle (?) with a maximum safe articulation angle (?lim), wherein the maximum safe articulation angle (?lim) is estimated according to the first aspect of the invention, and when it is determined that the jack-knifing condition (J) is about to occur, perform at least one of the following steps: (S30) issue a warning signal, and (S40) initiate a braking action for the vehicle combination, wherein the predicted future estimate of the articulation angle (?) is based on an estimated driver reaction time for initiating a braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Kristoffer Tagesson, Staffan Rödjedal
  • Patent number: 11801842
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for determining an estimated ambient air temperature in an environment in which a vehicle is operating. The estimated ambient air temperature may be compared to an ambient temperature sensor value. The comparison may be used to determine whether an ambient air temperature sensor of the vehicle is functioning properly or if an error notification or fault code should be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: John Echlin, Mark Lamont Lott, Christopher William John Mabson
  • Patent number: 11796344
    Abstract: A map information system includes a map database including map information; and a driving assist level determination device. The map information is associated with an evaluation value indicating a certainty of the map information for each location in an absolute coordinate system. Information indicating that the intervention operation is performed is included in driving environment information indicating a driving environment of a vehicle. The driving assist level determination device is configured to acquire, based on the driving environment information, intervention operation information indicating an intervention operation location where the intervention operation is performed, acquire, based on the map information, the evaluation value for each point or section in a target range, and determine, based on the evaluation value and the intervention operation location, an allowable level for each point or section within the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 11787414
    Abstract: A vehicle and a system and method of controlling the vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor obtains a first estimate of a force on a tire of the vehicle based on dynamics of the vehicle. The processor is configured to obtain a second estimate of the force on the tire using a tire model, determine an estimate of a coefficient of friction between the tire and the road from the first estimate of the force and the second estimate of the force, and control the vehicle using the estimate of the coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, David Perez-Chaparro, Kausalya Singuru, Hualin Tan, Jin-Jae Chen, Ping Mi
  • Patent number: 11753025
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a plurality of control units communicable with each other. The plurality of control unit includes a host unit and a plurality of lower units managed by the host unit. The vehicle control apparatus configured to perform: specifying a lower unit used for executing a predetermined operation among the plurality of lower units when received a signal for instructing any one of the plurality of lower units to start the predetermined operation of the vehicle control apparatus; outputting an activation request command to the lower unit used for executing the predetermined operation; and outputting, after a predetermined time elapsed since the activation request command is output, an operation start command of the predetermined operation to the lower unit used for executing the predetermined operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Furuhashi, Shunji Tsukabayashi
  • Patent number: 11745756
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting a driver in controlling a vehicle, the vehicle comprising one or more driver controls, the method comprising determining an optimal path for the vehicle; determining, based on the current motion of the vehicle and a current setting of one or more driver controls, a predicted path of the vehicle; determining if there is a difference between the optimal path for the vehicle and the predicted path of the vehicle; and if it is determined that there is a difference between the optimal path and the predicted path, delivering haptic and non-haptic feedback to the driver of the vehicle, the feedback comprising an indication that the driver should alter the current setting of one or more driver controls, wherein alteration of the setting of one or more driver controls modifies the motion of the vehicle to reduce the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Gordon David Tucker
  • Patent number: 11731693
    Abstract: Provided are a steering function-equipped hub unit that has a simple structure, high rigidity and a reduced size, a steering system, as well as a vehicle including the steering function-equipped hub unit. The steering function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit main body including a hub bearing supporting a wheel; a unit support member provided to a knuckle of a suspension device and rotatably supporting the hub unit main body about a turning axis extending in a vertical direction; and a steering actuator configured to rotationally drive the hub unit main body about the turning axis. The hub unit main body is supported by the unit support member through a preloaded rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Satoshi Utsunomiya, Norio Ishihara, Yusuke Ohata
  • Patent number: 11713052
    Abstract: A passenger car that has a function of being able to partially or fully drive, not in accordance with driver's intentions, includes a grip that is provided independent of an operation system of the passenger car and is configured to receive driver's operating intentions according to operation of the driver, and a control unit that is configured to determine whether a driver's operating intention has been changed to another intention via the grip and to determine, when the operating intention has been changed, whether to give an operating initiative to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Hatanoganshoudoushoten Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11692848
    Abstract: A map information system includes a map database including map information; and a driving assist level determination device. The map information is associated with an evaluation value indicating a certainty of the map information for each location in an absolute coordinate system. Information indicating that the intervention operation is performed is included in driving environment information indicating a driving environment of a vehicle. The driving assist level determination device is configured to acquire, based on the driving environment information, intervention operation information indicating an intervention operation location where the intervention operation is performed, acquire, based on the map information, the evaluation value for each point or section in a target range, and determine, based on the evaluation value and the intervention operation location, an allowable level for each point or section within the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 11685381
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating surface roughness of a ground for an off-road vehicle to control steering of a vehicle, an implement, or both, comprises detecting motion data of an off-road vehicle traversing a field or work site during a sampling interval. A first sensor is adapted to detect pitch data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a pitch acceleration. A second sensor is adapted to detect roll data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a roll acceleration. An electronic data processor or surface roughness index module determines or estimates a surface roughness index based on the detected motion data, pitch data and roll data for the sampling interval. The surface roughness index can be displayed on the graphical display to a user or operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Birkland, Tyler D. Schleicher
  • Patent number: 11680821
    Abstract: A map information system includes a map database including map information; and a driving assist level determination device. The map information is associated with an evaluation value indicating a certainty of the map information for each location in an absolute coordinate system. Information indicating that the intervention operation is performed is included in driving environment information indicating a driving environment of a vehicle. The driving assist level determination device is configured to acquire, based on the driving environment information, intervention operation information indicating an intervention operation location where the intervention operation is performed, acquire, based on the map information, the evaluation value for each point or section in a target range, and determine, based on the evaluation value and the intervention operation location, an allowable level for each point or section within the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 11680820
    Abstract: A map information system includes a map database including map information; and a driving assist level determination device. The map information is associated with an evaluation value indicating a certainty of the map information for each location in an absolute coordinate system. Information indicating that the intervention operation is performed is included in driving environment information indicating a driving environment of a vehicle. The driving assist level determination device is configured to acquire, based on the driving environment information, intervention operation information indicating an intervention operation location where the intervention operation is performed, acquire, based on the map information, the evaluation value for each point or section in a target range, and determine, based on the evaluation value and the intervention operation location, an allowable level for each point or section within the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 11648940
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control system has an automatic driving mode for automatic driving. The system includes a driver monitor, a driver abnormal state detector, a risk state detector, and an alarm controller. The driver monitor monitors, as a driver, an occupant in a vehicle compartment that can take over driving from the system during the automatic driving mode. The driver abnormal state detector detects an abnormal state of the driver based on a monitoring result by the driver monitor. The risk state detector detects, as a risk state, at least one of a control state or a traveling environment of the vehicle in the automatic driving mode. The alarm controller controls an alarm to be output to the driver during traveling in the automatic driving mode based on at least the risk state out of the abnormal state of the driver and the risk state of the automatic driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 11643103
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes: receiving an input as to a destination of travel for a vehicle; identifying, via a processor, a plurality of routes for the vehicle to travel to the destination; determining, via the processor, for each of the plurality of routes, a measure of difficulty of vehicle maneuvers for the vehicle to reach the destination via the route; and performing a vehicle action, via instructions provided by the processor, based on the respective measures of difficulty for the plurality of routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hui-ping Wang, Li Zuo, Sanja Laptosevic
  • Patent number: 11642800
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating or teaching a robot, the apparatus includes a reflective photoelectric sensor arranged on a gripper of the robot and a controller. The controller is configured to: cause the reflective photoelectric sensor to scan over a target object; monitor changes in an output signal from the reflective photoelectric sensor; for each detected change exceeding a threshold, determine a coordinate of a gripping component on the gripper in a robot coordinate system, to obtain a set of coordinates; determine a position of the target object in the robot coordinate system based on the set of coordinates and a predefined offset value (PO) between the reflective photoelectric sensor and the gripping component; and store the position of target object for future use in assembling objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Hao Gu, Cheng Li
  • Patent number: 11639183
    Abstract: A mode acquisition unit (21) accepts designation of a driver type from a driver or a passenger, among driver types provided by driver's driving skill. A mode acquisition unit (21) acquires a driving mode corresponding to a designated type which is a designated driver type. The driving mode indicates a control method of automated driving corresponding to a driving skill. The driving control unit (22) causes a mobile body (100) to perform automated driving in accordance with the control method indicated by the driving mode acquired by the mode acquisition unit (21), thereby realizing automated driving corresponding to the driving skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tsuda