Patents Examined by Richard M. Camby
  • Patent number: 11965745
    Abstract: A system and method generates and recommends a short and pleasant path between a source s and destination d in a geo-location such as a city or city center. The routes are not only short but emotionally pleasant, offering an engaging user experience, going beyond just showing paths on a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Maria Aiello, Daniele Quercia, Rossano Schifanella
  • Patent number: 11964731
    Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Sage Hahn, Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 11958605
    Abstract: A sunshade device and management system for mitigating the effects of climate change to help reduce the risk of extinction of plants, animals, and humans. The sunshade device has a canopy, which will collapse when lifted into the atmosphere by lifting devices, and open when the lifting devices are turned down or off, to provide shade. The canopy is preferably formed of a flexible lightweight solar panel film containing solar cells, which charge a battery power system which operates electrically powered propeller-driven lifting devices attached to a central portion of the canopy. The sunshade management device controls the lifting devices to manage the sunshade device elevation, angle and geolocation. The sunshade management device is provided with artificial intelligence and machine learning whereby it is able to make determinations regarding sunshade device takeoff and shutdown, and positioning of the elevation and angle of the canopy relative to the ground below, to maximize the shade effects of the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Vandewater Capital Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Aintabi
  • Patent number: 11958488
    Abstract: The described systems and methods determine a driver's fitness to safely operate a moving vehicle based at least in part upon observed UVB exposure patterns, where the driver's UVB exposure levels may serve as a proxy for vitamin D levels in that driver's body. A smart ring, wearable on a user's finger, continuously monitors user's exposure to UVB light. This UVB exposure data, representing UVB exposure patterns, can be utilized, in combination with driving data, to train a machine learning model, which will predict the user's level of risk exposure based at least in part upon observed UVB exposure patterns. The user can be warned of this risk to prevent them from driving or to encourage them to get more sunlight exposure before driving. In some instances, the disclosed smart ring system may interact with the user's vehicle to prevent it from starting while exposed to high risk due to deteriorated psychological or physiological conditions stemming from insufficient UVB exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BLUEOWL, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Jason Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11958383
    Abstract: A regenerative braking control system for a vehicle can include one or more user interface elements located in a cabin of the vehicle. The user interface element(s) can correspond to a plurality of regenerative braking settings. Each of the regenerative braking setting(s) can correspond to a different amount of regenerative braking torque to apply to the wheel(s) of the vehicle. The system can include a processor operatively connected to the user interface element(s). The processor can be configured to detect a condition, the condition being at least one of a weight of the vehicle, a center of gravity of the vehicle, a weight of a trailer operatively connected to the vehicle, and a center of gravity of a trailer operatively connected to the vehicle. The processor can be configured to cause the amount of regenerative braking torque for the regenerative braking setting(s) to be adjusted based on the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Takehito Yokoo
  • Patent number: 11938943
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing inputs using slice-based dynamic neural networks. One of the methods includes receiving a new input for processing by a neural network that includes a first conditional neural network layer that has a set of shared parameters and a respective set of slice parameters for each of a plurality of slices. One or more slices to which the new input belongs are identified. The new input is processed to generate a network output, including: receiving a layer input to the first conditional neural network layer; and processing the layer input using the set of shared parameters, the respective one or more sets of slice parameters for the identified one or more slices, but not the respective sets of slice parameters for any other slices to which the new input does not belong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Khaled Refaat, Stéphane Ross
  • Patent number: 11932120
    Abstract: A drive mode hierarchy includes drive mode categories and drive modes belonging to each category. Each drive mode defines values for attributes of the drivetrain and/or suspension of a vehicle. Each drive mode may further have towing and non-towing sub-modes with the towing sub-mode being used when a trailer is detected. An interface is provided for selecting drive modes from the hierarchy and modifying the attributes. The vehicle may define a plurality of trailer profiles including attributes of trailers, such as weight and aerodynamic drag. A user may select among trailer profiles and define the attributes of the trailer profiles. Interfaces displayed by the vehicle may vary according to the selected drive mode and may include a chassis view with interface elements displaying real-time information of components of the vehicle, such as wheels, suspension, and battery. Tiles including real-time information may be displayed according to the selected drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Michael Prax, II, Carl Stoye, Britt Singh Miura, Ashwini Amin
  • Patent number: 11932350
    Abstract: A power assisted electric bicycle includes a body, a motor, a torque sensor, and a controller. The motor is operated in an operating period. The torque sensor is configured to output a plurality of torque signals corresponding to a pedal force. The controller is coupled to the motor and the torque sensor. The controller is configured to: receive the torque signals from the torque sensor; determine a peak and a valley, which is adjacent to the peak, among the torque signals; compute and determine a pedaling period between the peak and the valley, which is adjacent to the peak, among the torque signals; and generate an error signal associated with the torque sensor if it is determined that the pedaling period and the operating period fail to meet a default ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Neng-Jie Yang, Ying-Che Shih, Sung-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 11919494
    Abstract: A method for detecting malfunctions of a motor vehicle electro-actuated brake apparatus may include the steps of providing, in an electronic control unit, a functional control block and a first functional block having a numerical model representative of the electro-actuated brake caliper. The method may also include providing a target signal to the functional control block for generating the control signal to operate the electro-actuated brake caliper. The method may also include providing the target signal to the first functional block for generating a first signal. In the method, the first signal may be compared with a feedback signal for generating an error signal to be sent to the electronic control unit. Further, the method may include performing, by the second functional block, an error validation check to provide information on the operating state of the electro-actuated brake caliper to the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Brembo, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Samuele Mazzoleni, Massimo Di Stefano, Alessandro Rossi, Luca Cappelletti
  • Patent number: 11912128
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a flexible display configured to be mounted in the vehicle. The display device is configured to extend and retract the flexible display to thereby change a size of a screen area of the flexible display. The display device may include a sensor configured to detect the size of the screen area, and a controller configured to, based on the size of the screen area, control a display state of information output through the flexible display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: In Koo Shim, Seunghwan Song, Romain Diboine
  • Patent number: 11908025
    Abstract: A method for controlling application of agrichemical products, comprises acquiring remotely sensed digital image data; developing a prescription to apply at least one agrichemical product in a variable manner based on at least the digital image data, wherein the prescription describes a plurality of passes of a particular autonomous vehicle over a field to apply the at least one agrichemical product; applying the at least one agrichemical product to a crop in the variable manner by the particular autonomous vehicle according to the prescription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CLIMATE LLC
    Inventor: Nick Nissing
  • Patent number: 11905018
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for motorized control of a tether, such as for purposes of user interaction and feedback. In particular, a UAV's control system may determine one or more operational parameters of a motor for a winch disposed in the UAV, the winch including the tether and a spool. The control system may then detect in the one or more operational parameters, an operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of an intentional user-interaction with the tether. Based on the detected operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of the intentional user-interaction with the tether, the control system may determine a motor response process. Then, the control system may operate the motor in accordance with the determined motor response process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 11866042
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle that may include a frame to support a power system, such as an engine, and one or more surface supports, such as one or more wheels, to support the frame. The engine may include an internal combustion engine and a fuel supply system therefore. The engine may provide power to drive the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventor: Jacob R. Horn
  • Patent number: 11868143
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods including: at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); at least one battery pack comprising at least one battery; and at least one motor of the at least one UAV, where the at least one battery is configured to transfer energy to the at least one motor; where power from the at least one motor is configured to ascend the at least one UAV to a second altitude when the at least one battery is at or near capacity, and where the second altitude is higher than the first altitude; and where power from the at least one motor is configured to descend the at least one UAV to the first altitude after the Sun has set to conserve energy stored in the at least one battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Lisoski, Bart Dean Hibbs
  • Patent number: 11858490
    Abstract: A brake control device according to an embodiment executes, for an electric braking wheel of either the front wheel and the rear wheel, a brake hold control for driving an electric braking device to move a propulsion shaft toward the braked member to be braked and bring it into contact with a piston, calculating a target braking force for maintaining the stationary state of the vehicle, subtracting a first braking force from the target braking force to calculate a required hydraulic braking force applied to the non-electric braking wheel different from the electric braking wheel, and controlling a differential pressure control valve connected to the non-electric braking wheel of the hydraulic braking device so that the required hydraulic braking force is applied to the non-electric braking wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Terushige Uraoka
  • Patent number: 11857050
    Abstract: The present application discloses a smart luggage case and a method for controlling the operation of the assisting luggage case, wherein, the smart luggage case comprises a case body, an auxiliary wheel mounted on the bottom of the case body, a power wheel elevatably mounted on the bottom of the case body, a swinging device connected to the power wheel, and a driving mechanism configured to drive the swinging device to swing and elevate the power wheel; another smart luggage case comprises a case body, a power wheel mounted on the case body, a tension bar provided with a wireless controller signally connected to the control system and configured to control the power wheel, a control system connected to the power wheel and a battery connected to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Changzhou Airwheel Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan Wu
  • Patent number: 11852487
    Abstract: A method to enable travel on a waterway. Here, a river run request is received from a user device. The river run request is associated with travel on a waterway and includes a user's desired time, put-in location, and take-out location. The user device includes a user interface. A river section positioned between the put-in location and the take-out location is determined. A velocity estimate associated with the river section is determined. A mileage for the river run request is determined using the desired time and the velocity estimate. A time of float is determined using the mileage and the velocity estimate. One or more of the mileage and the time of float is transmitted to the user interface for conveyance thereon. A slope between the put-in location and the take-out location is determined. The velocity estimate is determined using a hydraulic radius, the slope, and a roughness factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NOTHERN FLOW INC.
    Inventors: Tim J Dillon, Bradley M. Hoss
  • Patent number: 11845338
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes providing a piston engine. The piston engine includes a crankshaft and a torque sensor system. The torque sensor system includes at least one first rotary angle sensor and at least one second rotary angle sensor. The method further includes measuring a first and a second rotary angle in a spacing region and determining an angular offset between the first and the second rotary angle. The angular offset results from the torsion of the loaded crankshaft wherein the spacing region is limited along the crankshaft to an actual partial region of the spacing between the bearing journals. The partial region includes an actual subgroup of at least one of the number of offsets and the number of shaft journals, so that the angular offset is assigned to the actual subgroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Knabe, Horst Weidele, Aron Toth
  • Patent number: 11844474
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame, a drive assembly supported by the frame, an electronic system supported by the frame, and a cleaning assembly coupled to the frame. The drive assembly is configured to move the frame along a surface. The cleaning assembly is configured to engage the surface to transfer detritus from the surface to a storage volume supported by the frame. The electronic system has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a path along which the drive assembly travels and is configured to redefined a path along which the drive assembly travels based on at least one signal received from at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: AVIDBOTS CORP.
    Inventors: Faizan Sheikh, Pablo Roberto Molina Cabrera, Todd Willick, Julien D'Alessio-Doucet, Kenneth Lee
  • Patent number: 11837096
    Abstract: A supercomputer, with traffic-modeling software and 5G/6G connectivity, can assist an autonomous vehicle in avoiding, or at least minimizing the expected harm of, an imminent collision. Upon detecting the imminent collision, the autonomous vehicle can transmit a message to an access point, requesting an uncontested direct communication link to the supercomputer, and then transfer sensor data and other traffic data to the supercomputer through the access point. The supercomputer can calculate a multitude of sequences of braking, steering, and accelerating actions of the autonomous vehicle, and can select the sequence that enables the autonomous vehicle to avoid the collision if possible. If all sequences cannot avoid the collision, the supercomputer can select the sequence that results in the least harm (fatalities, injuries, and property damage) in the unavoidable collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: David E. Newman, R. Kemp Massengill