Patents Examined by Nicholas K Wiltey
  • Patent number: 10919548
    Abstract: A non-stop train system including a plurality of train cars in communication with one another and in communication with an electronic control module. The train system further includes a track having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped on the track at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches the drop off and pick up location on the track initiating the prepositioned train car to begin departure. The electronic control module is used to adjust the speed of the non-stop express train and the prepositioned train car based on a detected distance such that a front coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the rear coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Mohd B. Malik
  • Patent number: 10900871
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the reliability of data supplied by multi-function WFC sensors of tires of wheels of a vehicle for targeted applications, on the basis of the irregularities of the road, which use displacement data sent from the road handling adaptation equipment of the vehicle, enabling the variations in the road condition to be reflected. The system includes equipment for monitoring the wheel displacement data for adapting it to the variations of profile of the road on which it is traveling, in order to maintain a stable body position. The monitoring equipment is linked to the WFC sensors via a central processing unit which is capable of correlating data supplied by the WFC sensors and values of wheel displacement data supplied by the monitoring equipment for the purpose of weighting the values of at least one parameter obtained from the data delivered by the WFC sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Olivier Fudulea
  • Patent number: 10890452
    Abstract: A mobile device includes processor(s) coupled to memory, an input device, an output device, and a wireless transceiver. The mobile device can determine whether a destination is in a no wireless network coverage area. If so, then the route data used to provide navigation instructions to the destination is retained in the memory of the mobile device. In subsequent navigation, the mobile device can use the route data for navigation to a subsequent destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Arnold Jason Gum
  • Patent number: 10889372
    Abstract: A follow focus device includes a signal receiver, a controller electrically connected to the signal receiver, and a control interface electrically connected to the controller and configured to be electrically connected to a camera device. The signal receiver is configured to receive a control instruction for controlling a focal length of a lens of the camera device and send the control instruction to the controller. The controller is configured to generate a control signal according to the control instruction and send the control signal to the camera device via the control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Pan, Fangming Ye
  • Patent number: 10890926
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system in an aircraft. The method includes receiving an advance indication of a take-off or landing event to be executed by the aircraft in proximity to a landing area such that the landing area includes an arrangement of a plurality of emitters of electromagnetic radiation. The method further includes, responsive to the receiving, detecting, via a sensor in communication with the computer system, emission states of at least some of the plurality of emitters. In addition, the method includes transforming the detected emission states into an instruction set for the take-off or landing event. The method also includes initiating monitoring of the aircraft relative to the instruction set as the aircraft executes the take-off or landing event in proximity to the landing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kevin McNair, Andrew Vincent Louis
  • Patent number: 10883831
    Abstract: A system is provided for improving performance of inertial sensing systems. The system uses dynamic stability compensation to adapt to the changing state of the inertial system such that the system remains ultra-responsive during dynamic events, while also exhibiting ultra stable output during subtle motions or rest conditions. The system uses a method that operates upon output data as it exits the component sensors but before it enters the sensor fusion that produces a final orientation. The method can be used with any sensor fusion algorithm to provide improved noise and stability performance in the output while having little to no impact upon responsiveness of that output during dynamic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Yost Labs Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Yost
  • Patent number: 10875569
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arbitration method of an electric power steering apparatus of a vehicle and arbitration apparatus thereof. When overlay requests, which are steering apparatus operation commands or requests, are input from two or more steering-related control systems in a vehicle that includes an electric power steering apparatus and two or more steering-related control systems for controlling the electric power steering apparatus, the steering apparatus operation commands are selectively transferred to the steering apparatus according to the priority of the steering-related control system to adjust various steering-related controls to not conflict with each other, thereby maintaining the stability of the vehicle and making an optimal steering control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sang Jin Ko
  • Patent number: 10875575
    Abstract: A steering assistance device includes a steering wheel to which a driver of a vehicle inputs steering torque, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel, a steering mechanism configured to convert a rotation of the steering shaft into a steering angle for steering target wheels, a steering actuator configured to drive the steering mechanism such that a steering angle corresponding to a command value is generated, a steering torque sensor configured to detect torque acting on the steering shaft, an information providing unit configured to provide road information of a scheduled passage area extending in a traveling direction of the vehicle, and an electronic control unit configured to control the steering actuator, based on an output of the steering torque sensor and the road information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji Kunihiro, Yoshio Kudo, Takahiro Kojo, Yutaka Aoki, Ryo Irie, Satoshi Takahashi, Masateru Amano
  • Patent number: 10852725
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for executing an event pertaining to a vehicle and a user of the vehicle are presented. In some embodiments, a includes (a) detecting that a motion state of the vehicle is in a first state, (b) detecting a condition that warrants a change in the motion state of the vehicle to a second state, and (c) detecting the user of the vehicle's engagement in an activity that potentially impairs the user from performing an action to change the motion state of the vehicle to the second state. The method also includes, detecting the condition, and (c) detecting the user of the vehicle's engagement in the activity, executing an event to facilitate the change in the motion state of the vehicle to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: FARADAY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Samper, Serge Nikulin, Xiufeng Song
  • Patent number: 10850724
    Abstract: An automotive electronic control unit is configured to: determine the current operation status of an automotive dual battery electrical system defined by the current electric charge statuses of a main electrical energy source and of an auxiliary electrical energy source and by the current electrical energy demand of electrical loads, determine which operation area of an operation plane of the automotive dual battery electrical system the current operation status of the automotive dual battery electrical system belongs to, and control the operation of the automotive dual battery electrical system, and enable or disable the implementation of one or more of the functionalities of automatic start and stop of the internal combustion engine, of regenerative braking and of electric charging depending on the operation area which the current operation status of the automotive dual battery electrical system belongs to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA' CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Daniel Roiu, Alfredo Primon
  • Patent number: 10845810
    Abstract: A method for detecting real lateral locations of target plants includes: recording an image of a ground area at a camera; detecting a target plant in the image; accessing a lateral pixel location of the target plant in the image; for each tool module in a set of tool modules arranged behind the camera and in contact with a plant bed: recording an extension distance of the tool module; and recording a lateral position of the tool module relative to the camera; estimating a depth profile of the plant bed proximal the target plant based on the extension distance and the lateral position of each tool module; estimating a lateral location of the target plant based on the lateral pixel location of the target plant and the depth profile of the plant bed surface proximal the target plant; and driving a tool module to a lateral position aligned with the lateral location of the target plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: FarmWise Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Flajolet, Eric Stahl-David, Sébastien Boyer, Thomas Palomares
  • Patent number: 10843730
    Abstract: A lane keeping traveling support apparatus includes a driving support ECU. The driving support ECU is configured to inform a driver that the LDA control is being performed by causing the driver to have uncomfortable feeling by a movement of a steering wheel and a vehicle behavior when the LDA control is performed. This function is achieved by enhancing responsiveness of the LDA control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10843704
    Abstract: A vehicle and a control method thereof are disclosed. The vehicle to which an automotive open system architecture (AUTOSAR) platform is applied, may include an information acquisition part configured to acquire information regarding a first task and information regarding a type and an execution time of each of functions that are executed in the first task from a process control block; and a controller configured to perform control to execute an unexecuted function in a second task when the unexecuted function is not executed or not completely executed in the first task but is present together with the functions that are executed in the first task. In accordance with the present disclosure, a function that is not executed from the beginning or a partially executed function in a task may be detected to be executed in another task so that a program can be more stably executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Insu Kim, Hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 10825269
    Abstract: A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle operation data from vehicle sensors, and may use the data to identify a potentially high-risk or unsafe driving event by the vehicle. The driving analysis server also may receive corresponding image data, video, or object proximity data from the vehicle or one or more other data sources, and may use the image, video, or proximity data to analyze the potentially high-risk or unsafe driving event. A driver score for the vehicle or driver may be calculated or adjusted based on the analysis of the data and the determination of one or more causes of the driving event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Margaret A. Brinkmann, Daniel Kraft, Nathan M. Bryer, Eric D. Huls, Thomas Michael Warden
  • Patent number: 10821972
    Abstract: Vehicles and methods are disclosed for enabling vehicle occupants to maximize their time inside a vehicle during a remote parking operation, so as to limit exposure to adverse weather. An example vehicle includes a door, a sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a minimum open door angle for an occupant to exit, determine a vehicle path for execution of a remote parking operation, and, responsive to determining via the sensor during execution of the remote parking operation that the door is prevented from opening to the minimum door angle, pause execution of the remote parking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Krekel, Ahmed Benmimoun
  • Patent number: 10813267
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic traveling vehicle includes a position sensor and circuitry. The position sensor is to detect a vehicle position of the automatic traveling vehicle. The circuitry is configured to control the automatic traveling vehicle to travel along a first route, a first turn route connected to the first route, a straight route connected to the first turn route, a second turn route connected to the straight route, and a second route connected to the second turn route in this order, and to calculate the straight route extending from a reference point on the first turn route to the second turn route such that the straight route is tangent to the second turn route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shinkai, Kazuo Sakaguchi, Kotaro Yamaguchi, Hiroki Suga
  • Patent number: 10814813
    Abstract: A method for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle in the case of an imminent collision with a collision object includes: recognizing that a collision with the collision object is imminent, analyzing the collision object and recognizing whether a particularly sensitive upper area of the motor vehicle will be affected by the collision, and at least partially suppressing a trigger signal of a protective mechanism to enable an evasive action by the occupant if it is recognized that the particularly sensitive upper area of the motor vehicle will be affected by the collision that has been recognized to be imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Ludwig Foltin
  • Patent number: 10809065
    Abstract: A method for creating an environment map for an automatically moveable processing device, in particular a cleaning robot, wherein a detection device of the processing device detects obstacles in the environment of the processing device and an environment map of the processing device is created based on detected obstacle data of the obstacles. At least one additional sensor detects obstacles in the environment of the processing device, wherein the distance of the additional sensor to the processing device is changed and wherein the obstacle data detected by the additional sensor is combined in the environment map with the obstacle data detected by the detection device of the processing device. In addition to the method for creating an environment map for an independently moveable processing device, the invention also relates to a system for creating an environment map for an independently moveable processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Helmich
  • Patent number: 10810884
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for maneuver platooning of a vehicle. The apparatus may include a communication circuit that communicates with one or more external vehicles included in a vehicle platooning group together with the vehicle, a filter that filters particulate matter generated by the vehicle, and a controller electrically connected with the communication circuit. The controller is configured to control at least one of a behavior of the vehicle or a regeneration of the filter based on information about an order of the vehicle in the vehicle platooning group, when the controller determines that regenerating the filter is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 10787278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a vehicle, such as an aircraft. A plurality of maintenance messages generated during operation of the vehicle are stored to form a plurality of stored maintenance messages. The stored maintenance messages are filtered to remove from the stored maintenance messages those maintenance messages that are correlated to minimum equipment list actions to form filtered stored maintenance messages. A predicted maintenance message is generated from the filtered stored maintenance messages by applying a machine learning algorithm to the filtered stored maintenance messages. The predicted maintenance message may be used to perform a maintenance operation on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David J. Huber, Nigel D. Stepp, Tsai-Ching Lu