Patents Examined by Thomas Tarcza
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Patent number: 9494944Abstract: A method in a vehicle platoon including at least one leader vehicle and at least one additional vehicle, where the leader vehicle is intended to detect ambient conditions. The method includes the steps of: appointing (s410) the leader vehicle which is responsible for communicating information to the at least one additional vehicle; and under certain conditions, appointing (s450) a new leader vehicle which assumes the responsibility. A computer program product has program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) to implement a method according to the invention. The invention also pertains to a device in vehicle platoons and a motor vehicle equipped with such a device.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: SCANIA CV ABInventors: Assad Alam, Marek Sokalla
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Patent number: 9494492Abstract: An automated method for resolving fault in an engine is disclosed. The method may include providing a reasoner module for recommending a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the engine, inputting steady state performance data from the engine into the reasoner module, and using the reasoner module to recommend a set of maintenance actions based at least in part on the steady state performance data. A fault resolution system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The fault resolution system may include at least one computer processor operatively configured to receive steady state performance data from the gas turbine engine, and recommend a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the gas turbine engine based at least in part on the steady state performance data.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Anya R. Brunschwig, Amy R. Nordmark, Bryan P. Donovan, Andrew D. Ruestow, Gregory J. Kacprzynski, Charles Pelosi
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Patent number: 9494435Abstract: A system and method for evaluating driver performance is provided. The system includes a GPS navigation module for locating a running vehicle; a running vehicle data collection module for collecting data of the vehicle; a vehicle specifications memory for storing specifications of the vehicle; a road maps memory for storing maps of an area so as to identify the location of the vehicle by cooperating with the GPS navigation module; a road evaluation parameters memory for storing road evaluation parameters of the vehicle, and outputting evaluation parameters of the vehicle by cooperating with the road maps memory; and an evaluation module for combining the data of the vehicle from the running vehicle data collection module, the road evaluation parameters of the vehicle from the road evaluation parameters memory, and the specifications of the vehicle from the vehicle specifications memory, evaluating the combination, and outputting an evaluation report.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Xiamen King Long Motor Vehicle Inspection Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yifan Xu, Xiaobing Chen, Weihong Ye, Fangming Zhou, Beisi Lin
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Patent number: 9487216Abstract: A method for determining the efficiency of an electric energy system of a hybrid vehicle includes determining a measure representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy, by determining a requested brake energy for a first vehicle retardation, and by determining an actual electrical brake energy and the actual mechanical brake energy during the vehicle retardation, determining a new measure representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy at a subsequent second similar vehicle retardation, comparing the determined measures representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy of the first and second vehicle retardations, where the actual efficiency of the energy system is obtained from the change in the measure representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy of the first and second vehicle retardations.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Jonas Storm, Jörgen Kjellberg
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Patent number: 9487304Abstract: A system, device, and method for generating at least one advisory presentable on one or more presentation units are disclosed, where the advisory may draw an operator's attention to future turns of the vehicle such as, but not limited to, an aircraft. An advisory generator (“AG”) may be configured to receive navigation data; receive feature data representative of one or more edges associated with the designated surface and location/coordinate information associated with one or more nodes of each edge; generate an advisory data set representative of one or more first distances in response to the determination; and provide the advisory data set to the presentation system. The designated surface could include a landing runway, a takeoff runway, and/or a current surface upon which the vehicle operates. One first distance may be a shortest distance (i.e., a distance to the closest intersection).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Bowen, John W. Romine, III
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Patent number: 9488983Abstract: A robot cleaner may include a main body, a light irradiation unit irradiating light towards a region in front of the main body, an image sensor including a plurality of horizontal lines sequentially exposed to form an image, an image processing unit constructing frames by synchronizing signals output from the horizontal lines, such that, after construction of any one frame, the image processing unit does not construct one or more frames by ignoring signals output from the horizontal lines, and then constructs a next frame, and a controller controlling the light irradiation unit to irradiate light while the horizontal lines are exposed to construct the one frame, such that the light irradiation unit stops irradiation of light between before exposure of all the horizontal lines to construct the frame is completed and one point of time while the image processing unit ignores signals output from the horizontal lines.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Dongki Noh, Seungmin Baek, Taekyeong Lee
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Patent number: 9488544Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying loads caused by wind. Information for a group of aircraft parameters recorded by an information recorder is received in an aircraft during operation of the aircraft. A number of loads on an aerodynamic structure of the aircraft is estimated using the information for the group of aircraft parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Kim Chenming Long
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Patent number: 9488492Abstract: A multi-sensor, multi-modal data collection, analysis, recognition, and visualization platform can be embodied in a navigation capable vehicle. The platform provides an automated tool that can integrate multi-modal sensor data including two-dimensional image data, three-dimensional image data, and motion, location, or orientation data, and create a visual representation of the integrated sensor data, in a live operational environment. An illustrative platform architecture incorporates modular domain-specific business analytics “plug ins” to provide real-time annotation of the visual representation with domain-specific markups.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: SRI INTERNATIONALInventors: Supun Samarasekera, Raia Hadsell, Rakesh Kumar, Harpreet S. Sawhney, Bogdan C. Matei, Ryan Villamil
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Patent number: 9487212Abstract: A method and system for controlling a position of a vehicle relative to other vehicles on a road is provided. The method includes controlling a position of a host vehicle travelling in a lane of a road using an automated driving system and monitoring positions of one or more side vehicles located on either side of the host vehicle and traveling in adjacent lanes. The method further includes detecting a condition in which the host vehicle is or will be positioned in a blind spot of a side vehicle disposed on in an adjacent lane and adjusting the position of the host vehicle in response to the condition using the automated driving system such that the amount of time the host vehicle is or will be positioned in the blind spot of the side vehicle is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul A. Adam, Kevin A. O'Dea, Dmitriy Feldman
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Patent number: 9488480Abstract: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving platform, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), means for obtaining speed or velocity information and an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g., such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the moving platform, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver, sensor assembly and means for obtaining speed or velocity information, and operative to integrate the output information to produce a navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by using the speed or velocity information to decouple the actual motion of the platform from the readings of the sensor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.Inventors: Jacques Georgy, Aboelmagd Noureldin
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Patent number: 9482548Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for populating a map interface with a route inspection portal and/or for generating travel route video. In an example, a map interface is populated with a map canvas illustrating a travel route. The map canvas is populated with inspection markers corresponding to imagery depicting travel route portions of the travel route. Responsive to identifying a selection of an inspection marker at an inspection location, imagery depicting the inspection location may be identified. The map canvas is populated with a route inspection portal for the inspection marker. The route inspection portal is populated with the imagery (e.g., street-side imagery of an intersection along the travel route). In an example, a travel route video, comprising video frames corresponding to an ordering of the imagery (e.g., from a start location to an end location) along the travel route, may be generated and/or played.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yekaterina Grabar, Daniel Dole, Dvir Horovitz, Casey D. Stein
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Patent number: 9481374Abstract: A driver assistance system with improved fault tolerance and a method for the same are provided. An actuator control variable for a reduced driver assistance application with reduced functionality is a calculated in a second control unit in case of unavailability of an actuator control variable for the main driver assistance application with full functionality as determined by a first control unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbHInventors: Ralph Grewe, Stefan Hegemann, Marc Fischer, Rolf Adomat
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Patent number: 9482544Abstract: Electric vehicle efficiency profile management may include storing user-specific efficiency information associated with an electric vehicle and a current user of a portable electronic computing and communication device in response to detecting, by the portable electronic computing and communication device, a direct electronic communication link with an electric vehicle, and, in response to detecting, by the portable electronic computing and communication device, a disconnection of the direct electronic communication link, determining a current efficiency value, and storing a user-specific efficiency profile incorporating the current efficiency value.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Heather Konet, Eloi Taha
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Patent number: 9481984Abstract: A calibration device for a work machine includes: a working equipment parameter acquiring unit acquiring working equipment parameters of members of first and second actuation units; a measurement value acquiring unit acquiring respective measurement values of the work machine body and first and second actuation units measured by an external measurement device; a first calibration unit calibrating the parameter related to the member of the first actuation unit acquired by the acquiring unit based on the measurement value of the first actuation unit acquired by the acquiring unit; and a second calibration unit calibrating the working equipment parameter of the member of the second actuation unit based on the working equipment parameter of the first actuation unit calibrated by the first calibration unit and the respective measurement values of the reference points of the work machine body and first and second actuation units acquired by the acquiring unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Iwamura, Jin Kitajima, Masanobu Seki, Masashi Ichihara
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Patent number: 9481471Abstract: Autonomous propulsion apparatus and methods are disclosed. An example autonomous propulsion unit includes a flight controller capable of executing flight control instructions stored in a memory of the autonomous propulsion unit; and a propulsor to generate propulsion in accordance with the instructions for a payload carrier to which the autonomous propulsion unit is coupled, wherein the flight controller is to provide flight control for the propulsor in an absence of flight control instructions from the payload carrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Daniel Newman
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Patent number: 9481414Abstract: A spherical tractor operating mobile platform (STOMP) is provided for internally propelling and steering along an external surface. The STOMP includes a spherical shell having interior and exterior surfaces, an internal chassis containing an electrical power supply and a propulsion controller; a tractor drive system and an overhead wheel assembly. The tractor drive system provides propulsion and steering of the shell along the surface. The drive system includes a frame that connects to the chassis from below and contains a motor unit. The frame includes port and starboard sides that support respective wheel sets surrounded by corresponding continuous tracks. These tracks engage the shell's interior surface. Each wheel set includes a drive wheel, an idler wheel and a tension wheel for engaging a corresponding track. The overhead wheel assembly connects to the chassis from above to maintain the chassis and the drive system in compression with the shell.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Gerhard W. Thielman, Benjamin-Fausto S. Thielman
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Patent number: 9475360Abstract: A vehicle, a method and a vehicle safety arrangement are provided. The vehicle safety arrangement comprises a vehicle propellant amount determination unit, a vehicle passenger compartment, a vehicle motor, a communication unit and a vehicle occupant detection unit, arranged to detect at least one of a presence of at least one vehicle occupant and a vehicle occupant condition. The arrangement is arranged to initiate a communication indicative of the amount of propellant stored in the vehicle to an external recipient if the presence of at least one vehicle occupant is detected within the vehicle passenger compartment and the vehicle motor has been inoperative for a threshold amount of time, or a vehicle occupant condition is detected, which matches at least one predefined vehicle occupant condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventor: Lucas Rolka
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Patent number: 9475442Abstract: A method for triggering a passenger protection unit of a vehicle includes: reading in a first and a second sensor signal value of a first sensor, which is situated at a first location in the vehicle; reading in a third and a fourth sensor signal value of a second sensor, which is situated at a second location in the vehicle which is different from the first location; and activating the passenger protection unit using the first, second, third and fourth sensor signal values. The first and third sensor signal values represent a physical variable detected in a first sensor direction, and the second and fourth sensor signal values represent a second physical value detected in a second sensor direction which is different from the first sensor direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Gunther Lang
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Patent number: 9476335Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a motor, a catalyst used to purify exhaust gas of the engine, and an ECU configured to control the engine and the motor according to an output request of the hybrid vehicle, execute a target engine output keeping control for controlling an engine output such that the, target engine output keeps at a predetermined value during warm-up of the catalyst, and set an engine speed to a first engine speed when the target engine output keeping control is executed, the first engine speed being lower than a lower limit engine speed at which the engine is operated without executing the target engine output keeping control.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryuta Teraya, Daigo Ando, Hidekazu Nawata, Tatsuya Fujii
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Patent number: 9477229Abstract: A control method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, at least one drive unit and at least one rotor. The method includes: detecting current motion data from the accelerometer, wherein the motion data includes displacement of the UAV; determining whether the UAV is thrown up based on the motion data; detecting current ascending velocity of the UAV; determining whether the current ascending velocity of the UAV is substantially equal to zero; detecting current pitch angle and current angular velocity from the gyroscope if the current ascending velocity of the UAV is substantially equal to zero; calculating drive data based on the current pitch angle and current angular velocity; and enabling the at least one drive unit to drive at least one rotor to rotate so as to cause the UAV to hover evenly.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo