Patents Examined by Marthe Y. Marc-Coleman
  • Patent number: 11137763
    Abstract: Automated driving systems intended for use in a vehicle can be simulated and validated using automatically generated simulation scenarios. A large number of simulation scenarios can be generated by augmenting a plurality of recorded scenarios with one or more extracted data streams. The extracted data streams can correspond to objects such as other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or other obstacles or barriers. The extracted data streams can be generated automatically by identifying similar recorded scenarios and isolating differences between the similar recorded scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Heit, Jan Becker
  • Patent number: 11136012
    Abstract: A rear automatic braking system is automatically overridden and released if the accelerator pedal is depressed with the rate of change which is greater than empirically determined threshold beyond a predetermined percentage of its travel for at least a predetermined length of time and if the vehicle's brake pedal is not depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ningsheng Qiao, Geoff Bauer, Dominik Froehlich, Jeremy McClain, Rodrigo Gomez-Mendoza
  • Patent number: 11136038
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a safety strategy in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense information about an external object and a control circuit configured to be electrically connected with the sensor. The control circuit is configured to initiate a minimum risk strategy (MRM), when a predetermined condition is met, to determine a lateral location of the vehicle based on information obtained by the sensor and a location of a driving lane of the vehicle on a road, and to move the vehicle to the determined lateral location while executing the MRM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Su Jung Yoo, Jun Soo Kim, Dong Hwi Lee, Jin Su Jeong
  • Patent number: 11136045
    Abstract: A cooperative control method and apparatus for maintaining driving in response to engine clutch failure are provided. The cooperative control method includes monitoring refill temperature conditions of operating oil of an engine clutch and performing cooperative control between a radiator and an engine cooling water circulation pump based on change in temperature of the operating oil of the engine clutch. Additionally, the method includes determining whether the engine clutch is in a refill dangerous stage and turning off an engine to be turned off when the engine clutch is in the refill dangerous stage. Whether the temperature of the operating oil is mitigated is determined based on the refill temperature conditions, when the engine is turned off and oil refilling is performed when the temperature of the operating oil is not mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Hyun Kim, Yeon Bok Kim, Hyeon Jun Kim, Kyung Su Kim, Sok Young Yun
  • Patent number: 11133684
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for charging devices at a property using battery-charging drones. In some implementations, a monitoring system is configured to monitor a property and includes a battery-powered sensor configured to generate sensor data. The system includes a drone that is configured to navigate the property and charge the battery-powered sensor. A monitor control unit is configured to obtain a battery level from the battery-powered sensor and compare the battery level to a battery level threshold. Based on the comparison, the monitor control unit determines that the battery level does not satisfy the threshold. Based on the determination, the monitor control unit generates and transmits an instruction to a drone for the drone to navigate to the battery-powered sensor and charge a battery of the battery-powered sensor. The monitor control unit receives data from the drone that indicates whether the drone charged the battery of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Maurer, Alison Jane Slavin, Aaron Lee Roberts, Shan Huang
  • Patent number: 11124227
    Abstract: A steering control device (ECU) comprises a base assist unit for generating a basic assist torque and a steering torque correction unit. The steering torque correction unit outputs a corrected steering torque, which is decreasingly corrected so that an absolute value becomes smaller than an absolute value of a steering torque when a viscous load is requested to be applied to a driver by decreasing the assist torque. The base assist unit includes a target steering torque calculation unit and a servo controller. The target steering torque calculation unit calculates the target steering torque based on a steering torque. The servo controller calculates the basic assist torque to cause the corrected steering torque to follow the target steering torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Aoki
  • Patent number: 11126866
    Abstract: Examples implementations relate to determining path confidence for a vehicle. An example method includes receiving a request for a vehicle to navigate a target location. The method further includes determining a navigation path for the vehicle to traverse a first segment of the target location based on a plurality of prior navigation paths previously determined for traversal of segments similar to the first segment of the target location. The method also includes determining a confidence level associated with the navigation path. Based on the determined confidence level, the method additionally includes selecting a navigation mode for the vehicle from a plurality of navigation modes corresponding to a plurality of levels of remote assistance. The method further includes causing the vehicle to traverse the first segment of the target location using a level of remote assistance corresponding to the selected navigation mode for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Martin Schubert, Philip Watson, Michael Grundmann, Gabriella Levine
  • Patent number: 11124949
    Abstract: A carrier comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston, a controller and a piston position sensor, wherein the carrier is arranged to carry a tool through the use of the hydraulic cylinder and wherein the controller is configured to: receive control input for moving the tool; receive piston position information for at least one piston of the at least one cylinders; determine a current angle for the tool based on the piston position information; and determine that the current angle approximates a desired angle, and in response thereto halt the tool at the desired angle. According to an aspect the controller may be configured to detect and determine the position of a subject relative the carrier based on hydraulic pressure information and tool operational information. Further, the application concerns methods applied with the embodiments of said carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Tommy Olsson
  • Patent number: 11117582
    Abstract: A vehicle controller may determine a decelerator input associated with controlling an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle. The vehicle controller may determine, while the vehicle is moving and based on the decelerator input satisfying a braking threshold, that an engine decelerator, associated with the decelerator input, is to be enabled for use in stopping the vehicle. The vehicle controller may determine, based on determining that the engine decelerator is to be used to cause the vehicle to be stopped, an amount of braking to be applied by a braking device of the vehicle to stop the vehicle. The vehicle controller may automatically cause the braking device to apply the amount of braking to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Randall T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11119467
    Abstract: A construction machine, in particular in the form of a crane such as a revolving tower crane, having a control apparatus for controlling at least one piece of work equipment of the construction machine using a structure data model that includes digital information on a structure to be erected and/or to be worked. A method of controlling such a construction machine with the aid of digital data from such a structure data model. The construction machine has a data exchange module connectable to the master construction site computer for the exchange of digital data with a master construction site computer, with the data exchange module having reading and/or writing means for reading and/or writing access to the master construction site computer. The construction machine carries out at least individual work steps such as the traveling of a construction element in automated manner using digital data from the master construction site computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Stanger
  • Patent number: 11110931
    Abstract: A method of controlling a range extender of an electric vehicle comprises using actual measured or modelled pollution levels dynamically to set a target state of charge level for a range extender of an electric vehicle at a particular location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: Asher Bennett, Richard Lidstone-Scott, David Hampton, Tomasz Kusmierz, Robert Watson, John Hankinson
  • Patent number: 11105068
    Abstract: A movable machine including a chassis, a tool coupled to the chassis, an operator control carried by the chassis and a controller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the operator control. The controller being configured to send a force feedback and/or a vibration feedback to the operator control thereby conveying information to the operator. The information is not related to a load encountered by the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Kassen, Duqiang Wu, Aditya Singh, Uli Melchinger, Navneet Gulati, Patrick Thomas Dean
  • Patent number: 11106207
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling autonomous driving of a vehicle includes a communication device configured to receive a first determination value, which is calculated based on information obtained as surroundings are sensed, from a surrounding vehicle or configured to receive a second determination value from a server. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense surroundings of a subject vehicle. The apparatus includes a controller configured to: calculate a third determination value based on information sensed by the sensor; to calculate a final determination value based on at least one of the first determination value and the second determination value, and the third determination value; and to control the autonomous driving by using the final determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeong Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 11104322
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preparing an energy receiving apparatus of a vehicle for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage prior to a vehicle reaching an energy replenishment station for receiving the increase. In one example, a method comprises via a controller, requesting a confirmation as to whether a vehicle operator intends to stop at a particular energy replenishment station, and when confirmation is received, commanding one or more actions to prepare the energy receiving apparatus for accepting the energy level increase. In this way, a time-frame for accepting the energy level increase may be reduced as compared to situations where the one or more actions are not undertaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11099568
    Abstract: A self-driving vehicle system comprising a body having one or more motorized wheels, and a sensor head coupled to the body. The sensor head is movable from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the body. The sensor head comprises one or more proximity sensors and one or more cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: LINGDONG TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO. LTD
    Inventors: Yaming Tang, Liang Han, Chiung Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11092445
    Abstract: A method and a corresponding system for localizing a vehicle using a digital map are described. In accordance with the method, the digital map assigns to the features one or a plurality of predetermined attributes, which are provided for characterizing possibly occurring actual changes in the features comparison to the digital map existing at the moment. On the basis of the assigned attributes, probabilities relative to the changes are also determined, and the vehicle is localized in consideration of the determined probabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Hasberg, Christoph Schroeder, Danny Hiendriana, Oliver Pink, Philipp Rasp
  • Patent number: 11093888
    Abstract: Delivery area guidance may be provided to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivering a package to a customer. For example, a UAV may be programmed to fly to a delivery area. When the UAV approaches the delivery area, the UAV may send a signal that it has a package for the customer. A delivery area guidance (DAG) device associated with the customer may receive the signal and project a visible landing marker to guide the UAV to a designated delivery location. The DAG device may monitor motion near the designated delivery location, indicate existence of obstacles, and/or notify inhabitance of the approach of the UAV and/or receipt of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Daniel Sibon
  • Patent number: 11084512
    Abstract: In an example, the autonomous vehicle (“AV”) can be configured among the other vehicles and railway to communicate with a rider on a peer to peer basis to pick up the rider on demand from a location on a track, like a railway, tram or other track, rather than the rider being held hostage to -a fixed, railway schedule. The rider can have an application on his/her cell phone, which tracks each of the AVs. and contact them using the application on the cell phone. In an example, the AV is configured for both on-track and off track operation with different operating parameters for on-track and off track, including speed, degree of autonomy, sensors used etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Glydways, Inc.
    Inventor: Vinod Khosla
  • Patent number: 11084489
    Abstract: An automated driving assist system includes a vehicle controller that includes an entry-permission determiner. The entry-permission determiner searches for first and second traffic lights successively installed on a target traveling course. When the first and second traffic lights are successively installed, the entry-permission determiner determines whether the first traffic light is installed at an intersection. When the first and second traffic lights are successively installed and the first traffic light is installed at the intersection, the entry-permission determiner detects respective lighting statuses of signals indicated by the first and second traffic lights. When the first traffic light indicates a signal permitting vehicles to advance and the second traffic light indicates a signal prohibiting the vehicles from advancing, the entry-permission determiner acquires an available stop distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuu Ogino, Sogo Kanai, Kazuya Kozono, Noriaki Taguchi, Shimpei Fujimori
  • Patent number: 11086339
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter includes a UAV surveillance system and method which enables quick and convenient activation of an on-board radar (e.g., in SAR or GMTI mode) without having predefined suitable flight instructions. It enables ad-hoc operation of radar data acquisition devices allowing to switch from EO data acquisition to radar data acquisition or activate a radar side-by-side with an EO sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Moshe Sabato