Patents Examined by Michael Whalen
  • Patent number: 8909399
    Abstract: In the case that the motor travel priority mode is set and the restriction mode is set as the control mode because of the request of the operation of the engine, the threshold value Peg that is smaller value between the obtained value (kw·Wout) from multiplying the output limit Wout of the battery by the preset conversion factor kw and the preset power Pset that is smaller than the converted output limit Wout of the battery at a normal time is compared with the driving power Pdrv*. The hybrid vehicle is driven with the motor travel in idle operation of the engine when the driving power Pdrv* is not more than the threshold value Peg, and the hybrid vehicle is driven with power from the engine when the driving power Pdrv* is more than the threshold value Peg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kato, Kensuke Kamichi, Masaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8892305
    Abstract: A motion control device for a vehicle, including a braking means for applying a brake torque to a wheel of the vehicle and maintaining a traveling stability of the vehicle by controlling the braking means, the motion control device for the vehicle, includes a steering angular velocity obtaining means for obtaining a steering angular velocity of the vehicle, a yaw angular acceleration obtaining means for obtaining a yaw angular acceleration of the vehicle, and a control means for controlling the brake torque on the basis of the steering angular velocity and the yaw angular acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Toshihisa Kato, Toshio Yasutake, Atsushi Ikematsu
  • Patent number: 8874360
    Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code causes a processor at a first vehicle (e.g., a first autonomous vehicle) to generate a first planned path based on a current position of the first vehicle and a mission requirement assigned to the first vehicle. A first planned path associated with a second vehicle (e.g., a second autonomous vehicle), which is based on a current position of the second vehicle and a mission requirement assigned to the second vehicle, is received at the first vehicle. After the first planned path associated with the second vehicle is received, a second planned path is generated based on the first planned path associated with the second vehicle and at least one of the mission requirement assigned to the first vehicle or the first planned path of the first vehicle. The second planned path of the first vehicle is transmitted to the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Proxy Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John Solomon Klinger, Robert F. Davis
  • Patent number: 8849534
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided which is designed to stop or restart an engine automatically. The system is equipped with a vehicle speed determining circuit which determines the speed of the vehicle and has a dead zone around where a real speed of the vehicle is zero. The vehicle speed determining circuit has a characteristic in which when falling in the dead zone, the determined speed shows zero. When the determined speed is zero, and the real speed is expected to have dropped to zero, the system applies a first braking force to the wheel to keep the vehicle stopped. When the determined speed has become zero following the automatic stop of the engine, the system applies a second braking force smaller in magnitude than the first braking force to the wheel, thereby decelerating the vehicle slowly to avoid unexpected sudden deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Saito
  • Patent number: 8849506
    Abstract: The present invention provides an operation system for a vehicle capable of shortening an operation time, reducing an operation load, and improving visibility of a display section. The operation system includes an operation section on which a camera capturing a finger and a touch panel are installed, and a display section installed away from the operation section, and further includes a finger determination processor determining from an image captured by the camera whether or not an object approaching the operation section is a hand, a conversion processor converting a determination signal of the finger determination processor into a display instruction signal and outputting the converted result, and a pop-up processor displaying an operation button or an operation window on the display section before the hand is touched to the touch panel on the basis of the display instruction signal input from the conversion processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Japan R&D Center, Inc., Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8843257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell vehicle capable of displaying information with high usability to a driver or the like in view of appropriately planning a task related to the fuel cell vehicle. A second indicator (I2) displays an available electric power supply of a fuel cell (11), a capacitor (12) and a second cell (16), respectively. A third indicator (I3) displays a remained fuel amount. A fourth indicator (I4) displays a charge amount of the capacitor (12) and the second cell (16), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Noguchi, Takeshi Fujino, Eisuke Komazawa
  • Patent number: 8825366
    Abstract: The device includes processor elements for determining an optimal flight trajectory, which is free of collision with obstacles, which respects constraints of energy, and which links the current position of the aircraft to a target point defined by an operator. The device minimizes additional crew work required to update and validate a new trajectory when an original flight plan needs to be modified to avoid moving obstacles such as storms or other aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Andrea Giovannini, Thomas Pastre
  • Patent number: 8825387
    Abstract: Open area maps as well as related features, systems, and methods are disclosed. For example, one method comprises translating coordinates associated with an open area map into real-world coordinates. The open area map is positioned within a geographic map as a function of the real-world coordinates. The geographic map represents a real-world area around the open area map. The open area map includes an image of a layout representing a pedestrian walkable area, and the open area map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Navteq B.V.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Mays, Peter A. Seegers, William N. Gale, Matei N. Stroila
  • Patent number: 8825401
    Abstract: A device for displaying a flight plan of an aircraft is disclosed. The device includes a control unit with at least one first display area including a textual list of identifiers of points, a textual list of identifiers of segments, or both that are representative of a portion of the flight plan. A display of the textual lists are centered around a current central display point, the current central display point corresponding to a point of the flight plan or a segment of the flight plan. The device further includes means for displacing by jumps the flight plan portion displayed in the first display area by selecting a new point different from the current central display point, the selected new point becoming a new central display point after selection thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Guy Deker, Michel Roger, Emmanuel Roux
  • Patent number: 8761972
    Abstract: In a track type protection system comprising an automatic steering mechanism and a fail-safe mechanism, provided is a detection mechanism which can detect a deviated value of a vehicle, widthwise of a track, and which is highly reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Morichika, Katsuaki Morita, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuaki Hoshi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8762056
    Abstract: A user input is received on a wireless device specifying a starting location. The position of the wireless device is tracked from the starting location in response to the user input. A user input is received on the wireless device specifying an ending location, and a route is generated from the tracking of the wireless device from the starting location to the ending location. A first reference is associated with the route, wherein the route is retrievable by a selection of the first reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Forstall, Gregory N. Christie, Robert E. Borchers, Kevin Tiene
  • Patent number: 8706335
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid unit comprising a first drive-power source, such as a supercharged internal combustion engine, and a second drive-power source, such as an electric machine. The second drive-power source operates as a generator for charging the energy accumulator and as a motor for discharging of the energy accumulator. Depending on torque desired by a driver, drive torque can be called for, on the one hand, from the first drive-power source and, on the other hand, from the second drive-power source operating as a motor. When the torque desired by the driver increases, to ensure operation of the hybrid unit with reduced fuel consumption and reduced emissions, depending on the charge condition of the energy accumulator, torque demanded from the first drive-power source is delayed and/or reduced, and the resulting reduced dynamic response is compensated for by demanding torque from the second drive-power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 8660769
    Abstract: A vehicle motion control system which is to be installed on a vehicle having a single front wheel, a right wheel and a left wheel. The control system includes: (a) a front-wheel steering device configured to steer the front wheel; (b) a braking device configured to apply a braking force to each of the wheels; and (c) a controlling device including a braking-force controlling portion configured to control the braking force that is to be applied to each of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Onoda, Yutaka Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 8655540
    Abstract: A solution for further automating the identification and processing of rail vehicles is provided. Each individual rail vehicle in a series of rail vehicles is identified and data is acquired for the rail vehicle. Identification of each rail vehicle can be implemented using a set of electromagnetic beams that are emitted and detected across a set of rails in such a manner as to enable the reliable identification of individual rail vehicles. Data acquisition for the rail vehicles can include evaluation of one or more parts of the rail vehicle, particularly the rail wheels, for the presence of one or more defects. Data on the part(s), such as rail wheels, can be reliably assigned to a corresponding rail vehicle by also accounting for changes in the direction of movement of the rail vehicle in locations such as a classification yard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Jeremy C. Mullaney
  • Patent number: 8655506
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of calculating and flying continuous descent approaches to an airport or the like, and to aircraft navigation systems for implementing these methods. The present disclosure resides in the recognition that greater predictability in arrival times may be achieved by flying continuous descent approaches by maintaining a constant aerodynamic flight path angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ramon Gomez, Francisco A. Navarro, Bastian Figlar
  • Patent number: 8645037
    Abstract: When the condition for starting an engine (50) is satisfied, the controller (90) executes the lock switching control in which the wheels (88) are forcibly locked by the brake device (86) and the parking lock mechanism (200) is released to unlock the driveshaft (step S4, step S5), and then the controller (90) executes the cranking control (step S6) in which the engine (50) is started by the motor-generator (MG1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Kato, Hideto Watanabe, Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Kunio Takeda, Masayuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8600622
    Abstract: A buckle switch arrangement for a multi-point seat belt system. A restraints control module is provided to receive signals from sensors operatively associated with the vehicle seat which determine and identify seat occupancy and also to receive signals from other sensors operatively associated with the vehicle seat which sense seat belt webbing payout. The signals obtained by the restraints control module are interpreted and, based on the interpretation, a telltale device may be activated to warn the vehicle operator that a seat occupant is not in compliance with seat belt usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sundeep Venkat Kankanala, Stephen William Rouhana, Dean M. Jaradi, Joseph Zwolinski, Alex Meduvsky, Keith Ball
  • Patent number: 8600672
    Abstract: A road section where the host vehicle is currently located is identified and the work rate of a transmission shaft, which transmits a driving force from a drive source of a host vehicle to a wheel, is derived based on a rotational speed and the torque transmitted by the transmission shaft. The energy required to travel through the road section is linked to the road section and accumulated based on the work rate derived while the host vehicle travels through the road section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8583366
    Abstract: When determining that a subject vehicle traveled a curve, a road shape learning apparatus amends an entrance coordinate, a middle coordinate, and an exit coordinate of the curve based on predetermined amendment values to thereby obtain a post-amendment entrance coordinate, a post-amendment middle coordinate, and a post-amendment exit coordinate. The road shape learning apparatus computes a radius of a circular arc which passes through the post-amendment entrance coordinate, the post-amendment middle coordinate, and the post-amendment exit coordinate and designates the computed radius as a curvature radius of the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Iida
  • Patent number: 8565992
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for braking electrically driven vehicles, in particular rail vehicles. In at least one embodiment, the behavior of the brake system is configured directly as a function of the system state, i.e. the operating conditions of the vehicle, such as for example the laden state of the vehicle, temperature of the engines and in particular of the magnets, as well as redundancy requirements, and therefore permit the fully functioning mechanical brake which is present in vehicles nowadays to be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Fuchs, Frank Jacobi von Wangelin, Bernd Laska, Lars Löwenstein