Patents Examined by Ronnie Mancho
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Patent number: 9744994Abstract: A steering system includes a rotation angle sensor that detects a signal related to an absolute steering angle, and an assist circuit that acquires the signal related to the absolute steering angle while an ignition switch is off in order to reduce battery consumption. The assist circuit includes a counter that updates a count value based on a result of detection by a first rotating direction determining unit and a second rotating direction determining unit that determine a rotating direction of a motor, and an abnormality detecting unit that detects an abnormality in absolute steering angle based on a past value and a current value of the count value in the counter.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Yuji Fujita, Takehide Adachi
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Patent number: 9731704Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a hybrid drive having an internal combustion engine and an electric drive motor, and an air conditioning system having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, and an electric motor configured to operate the compressor and to start the internal combustion engine as electric starter when being coupled with the internal combustion engine. The electric motor has an inverter to operate the electric motor directly with high voltage of a high-voltage onboard electrical system of the motor vehicle so as to enable the electric motor to apply a mechanical torque for re-staring the internal combustion engine in case of need in the absence of any assistance from the electric drive motor. A clutch device mechanically couples the electric motor of the air conditioning system with the internal combustion engine in response to a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Andreas Apelsmeier
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Patent number: 9729233Abstract: An S/N calculation circuit 12 to calculate the S/N ratio of a received signal, and an S/N comparison circuit 13 to compare the S/N calculated by the S/N calculation circuit 12 with a threshold Th are disposed, and a parameter setting circuit 14 controls the radiation state of a beam radiated from a transmission optical system 5 according to the result of the comparison performed by the S/N comparison circuit 13. As a result, even if the state of the propagation environment gets worse, degradation in the communication quality can be prevented and communicative stabilization can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yuichi Nishino, Hidenobu Tsuji, Hideaki Ochimizu, Nobuki Kotake, Masaharu Imaki, Shumpei Kameyama
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Patent number: 9718358Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing vehicle control. Multiple target rotation rates for a vehicle shaft may be identified. A first actual rotation rate may be determined to exceed a first target rotation rate. In response, a computing system may send a first signal in order to cause a first component of a vehicle to limit the rate of rotation of the vehicle shaft. A second actual rotation rate may be determined to be below a second target rotation rate. In response, the computing system may send a second signal in order to cause the first component of the vehicle or a second component of the vehicle to increase the rate of rotation of the vehicle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Davis Intellectual Properties LLCInventor: Shannon R. Davis
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Patent number: 9718426Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a sensor (2) for predicting an imminent collision, which sensor is coupled to an evaluating unit (3), a control device (10) for triggering a first device (7, 9) at a defined first time before the predicted collision, which first device causes a rearward displacement of at least one vehicle occupant (4), wherein the control device (10) is designed to trigger a second device (8) at a defined second time before the predicted collision which follows the first time, which second device applies a counter force to the at least one vehicle occupant (4).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Kufer
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Patent number: 9707955Abstract: A method is provided for propelling a vehicle having a power-train including a primary power source accompanied with a primary power torque curve and a secondary power source accompanied with a secondary power torque curve, the primary power source being adapted to deliver a maximum torque output in relation to rotational speed according to the primary power torque curve and the secondary power source being adapted to deliver a maximum torque output in relation to rotational speed according to the secondary power torque curve, the vehicle being adapted to be propelled by either one of the primary power source and the secondary power source or by both together, the powertrain further including a powertrain limit curve which is adapted to where applicable to restrict a current driver demand from a driver of the vehicle in relation to the primary power torque curve and the secondary power torque curve when propelling the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Lisa Ehrlich, Bertrand Molimard, Johan Bringhed, Anders Heiwall
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Patent number: 9701013Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a robot (1) defined by a node model and deformable by means of actuators (2). Effector points of the robot must follow a predetermined path. A matrix K defines a change in the inner forces of the robot in each node, on the basis of the change in position of the nodes. Said method includes: updating the K values on the basis of the current position of the nodes of the robot; determining the Jacobian matrix J of the vector ?(x), x being a vector of the position of the nodes and the vector ?(x) comprising respective lines which indicate the coordinates of the gaps between the position of each effector point and the predetermined path thereof, and the movement of each actuator; calculating the values of the matrix W=J·K?1·JT; and solving the equation ?=W·?+?0 and controlling the robot on the basis of said resolution.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Inria Institut National De Recherche En Informatique Et En AutomatiqueInventor: Christian Duriez
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Patent number: 9679490Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems of various embodiments are disclosed for exploiting opportunistic energy harvesting conditions for an unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV). Various embodiments include determining mission power parameters for the UAV and accessing energy-harvesting data. A suitability of an energy-harvesting site for stationary energy harvesting by the UAV may be assessed based on the mission power parameters and the energy-harvesting data. In addition, an initial course of the UAV may be adjusted based on the assessment of the suitability of the energy-harvesting site. Stationary energy harvesting may include a process performed by the UAV that derives energy by conversion from an external power source while in a fixed position and/or in contact with an adjacent object.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Marcelo Ceribelli, Benjamin Lund, Lael Pearce
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Patent number: 9669545Abstract: A robot calibrating apparatus calibrating a command value for a robot body 2 whose position and orientation is controlled based on the command value, includes an operating unit configured to calculate a calibrating function of calibrating the command value, based on the difference between an ideal position and orientation of the robot body 2 and an actual position and orientation of the robot body 2. The ideal position and orientation is operated based on a command value RHTcom for calibration used during calibration or on a control result value which is a result of control according to the command value. The actual position and orientation is operated based on a measurement value RHT?meas for calibration acquired by a camera 3 arranged at a prescribed relative position and orientation with respect to the robot body 2 during the robot body 2 being controlled according to the command value for calibration.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideaki Suzuki, Shingo Amano
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Patent number: 9655680Abstract: A master device for surgical robots may comprise: handle units, each of which includes at least one multi-joint robot finger configured to control a robotic surgical instrument on a robot arm of a slave device; and/or a micro motion generation unit configured to generate a control signal to control an end of the at least one multi-joint robot finger so as to move along a virtual trajectory. A master device for surgical robots may comprise: a first unit that comprises at least one multi-joint robot finger on a robot arm of a slave device; and/or a second unit configured to generate a first control signal to control the at least one multi-joint robot finger so as to move along a virtual trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Youngbo Shim, Minhyung Lee, Byungjune Choi, Young Do Kwon, Kyungshik Roh
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Patent number: 9650043Abstract: An anticipatory speed-control system and method for generating a speed profile in real time by iteratively calculating proposed reduced speeds associated with an electronically identified target curve until the proposed speed is compliant with a lateral-acceleration-based comfort metric and a steering-angle-based safety metric and implementing the speed profile in accordance with a longitudinal comfort metric and providing a user with override options.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jin-Woo Lee
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Patent number: 9652982Abstract: A method for learning traffic events, the traffic events being transmitted to a data network using vehicle-to-X communication. The traffic events include position data and time data assigned to the traffic events, and the traffic events are stored electronically in the data network. The method is characterized in that an individual storage duration is determined for each traffic event, and the traffic event is deleted from the data network after the storage duration expires. The invention further relates to a corresponding system and to the use thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignees: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG, Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbHInventors: Stefan Hegemann, Ulrich Stählin
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Patent number: 9637122Abstract: A driving support apparatus installed in a host vehicle calculates an overlap ratio relating to a target object positioned ahead of the host vehicle within the same traffic lane, as the ratio of the width of the target object to its lateral distance from a lane marker line of the traffic lane, and also detects the motion condition of the object (i.e., stationary, moving towards, or in the same direction as the host vehicle, or moving laterally with respect to the forward direction of the host vehicle). An amount of compensation for retarding or advancing the commencement of a collision avoidance operation by the driving support apparatus is determined based on the overlap ratio and/or the motion condition of the target object.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Akitoshi Minemura, Masayoshi Takeda, Yuusuke Matsumoto, Taku Sakima, Naoki Kawasaki, Syunya Kumano
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Patent number: 9636824Abstract: A transfer system includes a first station at which a workpiece is placed, a second station which receives the workpiece from the first station, a robot including a holder for holding the workpiece and for transferring the workpiece from the first station to the second station, an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the workpiece that reflects a position of the workpiece in the first station, a first memory unit that stores intended placement position information indicating an intended placement position of the workpiece in the first station, and a deviation calculator that calculates a deviation of the position of the workpiece in the first station relative to the intended placement position. The deviation calculator calculates the deviation based on the image of the workpiece and the intended placement position information.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: DAIHEN CorporationInventor: Takumi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9637008Abstract: A generator motor unit includes a generator motor including a rotor equipped with magnets, and magnetic bodies that protrude from a wall surface, a first stator that makes magnetic flux act on the magnets, thereby generating torque in the rotor, and a second stator that makes magnetic flux act on the magnetic bodies, thereby generating torque in the rotor; and a controller that controls energization of coils of the first stator and the second stator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Sonoda, Tatsuya Shiozawa, Katsuhiro Ouchi, Takeshi Yanagisawa, Ryota Takagi, Atsushi Katayama, Hitoshi Kurosaka
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Patent number: 9632176Abstract: A driver assistance method includes: sensing whether a vehicle enters a slope road; detecting information of the slope road using sensors which are equipped in the vehicle; confirming whether the slope road is a curved road based on the information of the slope road; measuring a curvature of the slope road when the slope road is confirmed to be a curved road; and assisting a driving operation of the vehicle based on the curvature of the slope road.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae Seob Choi
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Patent number: 9623556Abstract: Disclosed are robotic systems, methods, bipedal robot devices, and computer-readable mediums. For example, a robotic system may include a robotic leg connected to a main body and a robotic foot. A robotic sole joint may be connected to the robotic leg, where the robotic sole joint is located at a sole of the robotic foot. The robotic leg and the robotic foot may be movable around an axis of rotation defined by the robotic sole joint. A movement around the axis may cause a ZMP to shift from a first location to a second location in the robotic foot. A measure of force applied by the robotic sole joint around the axis may be approximately equal to zero.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Junichi Urata, Masaki Hamafuji
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Patent number: 9623819Abstract: A method for controlling a lighting brightness of a lit motor vehicle instrument is described in which a viewing direction of a driver is ascertained. From the viewing direction of the driver, a direct field of vision and a peripheral field of vision are ascertained. The lighting brightness of the motor vehicle instrument is increased, if it lies in the direct field of vision of the driver. The method may be implemented in a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Markus Frommann, Michael Schreiber
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Patent number: 9615501Abstract: A system for controlling the position of an agricultural implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle comprises a control unit connected to a field topography database containing three-dimensional data of the topography of a field, a location signal generation arrangement providing location data of the position of the vehicle and/or the implement in the field, an implement position sensor arranged to sense the position of the implement with respect to the ground and to a positioning arrangement configured to move the implement in response to position control signals from the control unit. The control unit is operable to provide the control signals based upon a combination of actual position data received from the implement position sensor and expected required position change data that are derived from elevation data recalled from the field topography database based upon the location data.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Terence Daniel Pickett, Shufeng Han
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Patent number: 9613472Abstract: A system for diagnosing vehicle problems that may include a client device and central device. The client device may include a connector to connect to a vehicle and a vehicle interface to send and receive information from the vehicle. The client may also include an input/output system, a processor, and a communication system to communicate with the central device. The client device may capture a vehicle identification number (VIN) and may transmit the captured VIN along with geographic information to the central device. In response to received instructions from the central device, the client device may passively capture diagnostic information from the vehicle and transmit the diagnostic information to the central device. In response to the diagnostic information, the central device may transmit further instructions to the client device.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.Inventors: Gary Herbert Heine, David Tsai, Bruce Andrew Mutter, Thomas Fallow Trisdale