Patents Examined by Madison B Emmett
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Patent number: 11845444Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jackson Barry McGrory, Klaus Trangbaek, Zhi Li, Mohammadali Shahriari, Patrick Giancarlo Gabriel Digioacchino
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Patent number: 11845441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal UniversityInventor: Ahmed Salah M. Alkhoudiri
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Patent number: 11834061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Xi Chen, Kohei Morotomi
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Patent number: 11827219Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Tashiro, Takashi Okada
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Patent number: 11814050Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Kristoffer Tagesson, Staffan Rödjedal
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Patent number: 11801842Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: PACCAR Inc.Inventors: John Echlin, Mark Lamont Lott, Christopher William John Mabson
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Patent number: 11796344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 12, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 11787414Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, David Perez-Chaparro, Kausalya Singuru, Hualin Tan, Jin-Jae Chen, Ping Mi
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Patent number: 11753025Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Furuhashi, Shunji Tsukabayashi
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Patent number: 11745756Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE LIMITEDInventor: Stephen Gordon David Tucker
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Patent number: 11731693Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: NTN CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Satoshi Utsunomiya, Norio Ishihara, Yusuke Ohata
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Patent number: 11713052Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Hatanoganshoudoushoten Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tadashi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 11692848Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 11685381Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Christopher D. Birkland, Tyler D. Schleicher
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Patent number: 11680821Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 11680820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Taichi Kawanai, Yasuhiro Takagi, Masahiro Harada, Nobuhide Kamata, Eiji Sakaguchi, Keisuke Hokai, Hideyuki Matsui, Kazuhiko Kamikado, Yusuke Hayashi, Hideo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 11648940Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Masato Mizoguchi
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Patent number: 11643103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Hui-ping Wang, Li Zuo, Sanja Laptosevic
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Patent number: 11642800Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AGInventors: Hao Gu, Cheng Li
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Patent number: 11639183Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Yoshiaki Tsuda