Patents by Inventor Sanjeev M. Naik
Sanjeev M. Naik has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 8027782Abstract: A control system includes a jerk determination module and a misfire confirmation module. The jerk determination module determines a jerk of a crankshaft associated with a firing event in an engine. The misfire confirmation module selectively confirms that a misfire detected in the engine is valid based on the jerk.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Inventors: Tameem K. Assaf, David S. Mathews, John V Bowman, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Patent number: 7950273Abstract: An engine misfire system comprises a rough road detection module and a misfire detection module. The rough road detection module selectively generates a rough road indicator based upon a transmission output speed of a vehicle. The misfire detection module selectively diagnoses engine misfire and selectively generates a misfire indicator based on diagnosed engine misfire and the rough road indicator.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Inventors: Tameem K. Assaf, Sanjeev M. Naik, David S. Mathews
-
Publication number: 20110098894Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle sun visor that uses commonly existing onboard sensors and systems to provide all necessary inputs. The method uses GPS and solar almanac data to determine the location of the sun relative to the vehicle, driver side view mirror angle data to determine the position of the driver's eyes within the vehicle, and an existing outside light metering device to determine whether the sun is actually shining on the vehicle, and uses this information to calculate the optimum position of the sun visor. If a forward-looking camera is available on the vehicle, camera images can be used to improve the estimate of the sun position relative to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Shuqing Zeng, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20110096165Abstract: A system and method for automatically calibrating the aiming direction of a camera onboard a vehicle. The method uses GPS and solar almanac data to estimate the location of the sun relative to the vehicle, and compares this to the solar position in an image from the camera. The comparison is performed with an ongoing recursive calculation which yields an improved estimate of the sun position relative to the vehicle, while simultaneously calibrating the aiming direction of the camera. The aiming calibration data is used to improve the accuracy of the camera's images as used for all of the camera's other functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Shuqing ZENG, Sanjeev M. NAIK
-
Publication number: 20110071717Abstract: An apparatus for generating autonomic control mode commands to an autonomic control system in a vehicle to execute an autonomic vehicle maneuver in response to an operator command includes a control module signally connected to the autonomic control system and an input device. The input device is manipulated by an operator to transition among operator command positions and configured to generate signal outputs monitored by the control module indicating the operator command positions including a neutral position, a detent position and an extended detent position. The input device further includes a reset state corresponding to the neutral position and monitored by the control module, an initiation state corresponding to the extended detent position and monitored by the control module, and a command state corresponding to the detent position and monitored by the control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: John K. Lenneman, William C. Barley, Joseph F. Szczerba, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20110066358Abstract: A control system includes a jerk determination module and a misfire confirmation module. The jerk determination module determines a jerk of a crankshaft associated with a firing event in an engine. The misfire confirmation module selectively confirms that a misfire detected in the engine is valid based on the jerk.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Tameem K. Assaf, David S. Mathews, John V. Bowman, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100326070Abstract: A linear actuator associated with an actuator system for a device includes a wire cable fabricated from an active material. The linear actuator couples to the device and to the moveable element. The active material induces strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal. The linear actuator translates the moveable element relative to the device in response to the induced strain. An activation controller electrically connects to the linear actuator and generates the activation signal. A position feedback sensor monitors a position of the moveable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik, Xiujie Gao, Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, Tony J. Deschutter
-
Publication number: 20100332151Abstract: A method for detecting a mechanical overload condition of an energized linear actuator to prevent commanding an activation signal to the linear actuator that may mechanically overload the linear actuator includes monitoring feedback variation of a movable element associated with the linear actuator including monitoring a present feedback signal of the movable element, monitoring a previous feedback signal of the movable element, comparing the present feedback signal and the previous feedback signal and determining the feedback variation based on the comparing. The feedback variation is compared to a feedback variation threshold. An input signal associated with the activation signal for controlling the linear actuator is monitored and the input signal compared to an input signal threshold. The electrical overload condition is detected when the feedback variation is less than the feedback variation threshold and the input signal is greater than the input signal threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Lei Hao, Xiujie Gao, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100330894Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is open to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., DYNALLOY, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Voss, Derek L. Patterson, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, John N. Owens, Alexander Millerman, Kevin B. Rober, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Patent number: 7830119Abstract: An adaptive battery estimation control system includes a fixed and adaptive battery estimators effective for a battery parameter estimations across a wide range of dynamic battery operational conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Patent number: 7831369Abstract: There is provided a method and executable code for controlling operation of a vehicle. The vehicle control occurs during ongoing operation subsequent to deactivating an internal combustion engine which is effective to generate vehicle tractive torque. The method comprises: monitoring conditions external to the vehicle, and, restarting the internal combustion engine when the monitored external conditions indicate an imminent opportunity to move the vehicle in a forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Man-Feng Chang, Jeffrey T. Wolak
-
Publication number: 20100276962Abstract: A method for identifying a sun-shade line on a vehicle driver's face so as to automatically position a sun blocker at the appropriate location to block the sun. The method includes generating subsequent images of the vehicle driver using a low cost camera and providing a difference image from the subsequent camera images to eliminate stationary parts of the image. The method then filters the difference image to enhance the expected motion from the controlled sun blocker and to remove the un-expected motion, which generates a filter response image that includes an identification of the movement of the sun-shade line from image to image. The method then applies a threshold to the filter response image to remove portions of the filter response image that do not exceed a predetermined intensity, and performs a Hough transform on the thresholded filter response image to identify the sun-shade line on the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: WENDE ZHANG, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100258370Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with an engine, as well as a transmission having a motor/generator, a stationary member, and a planetary gear set. The engine and the motor/generator are separately selectively connectable to one of the drive axle assemblies by engagement of different ones of the torque-transmitting mechanism to transfer torque to that drive axle assembly. One or both of the engine and the motor/generator is also selectively connectable to the other drive axle assembly by engagement of another one of the torque-transmitting mechanisms to transfer torque to the other of drive axle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Balarama V. Murty
-
Patent number: 7797923Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration of a lean NOx trap includes estimating an accumulated NOx in the lean NOx trap; determining whether the estimated NOx exceeds a first threshold value or a second threshold value; estimating the temperature of the lean NOx trap; determining whether the estimated temperature exceeds a threshold temperature; determining a desired air-fuel ratio for initiating a regeneration event, the desired air-fuel ratio being determined based upon the estimated NOx and the estimated temperature of the lean NOx trap; hastening the occurrence of a regeneration event when the estimated NOx exceeds the first threshold value through active control of engine operating regimes; and initiating a regeneration event when the estimated NOx exceeds the second threshold value or when the estimated temperature exceeds the threshold temperature by forcing homogenous operation of the engine at the desired air-fuel ratio.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, David J. Cleary
-
Publication number: 20100201814Abstract: A method for estimating the horizon in an image of a camera to provide camera auto-calibration in the pitch direction. The method includes taking an image of a scene and generating a texture map of the image using horizontal edge detection analysis to locate horizontal edges in the scene. The method also includes providing a motion map by providing image differencing between subsequent images to find areas in the scene with no motion while the vehicle is moving. The texture map and the motion map are combined to identify the areas in the image that do not move and contain horizontal edges. A horizontal projection is generated from the combined map by counting white dots in the map in the horizontal direction. The horizontal projection is smoothed to eliminate noise and the location of the horizon is estimated in the image by identifying the maximum peak in the horizontal projection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wende Zhang, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100104199Abstract: Method for detecting a clear path of travel for a host vehicle including fusion of clear path detection by image analysis and detection of an object within an operating environment of the host vehicle including monitoring an image from a camera device, analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, monitoring sensor data describing the object, analyzing the sensor data to determine an impact of the object to the clear path, utilizing the determined impact of the object to describe an enhanced clear path of travel, and utilizing the enhanced clear path of travel to navigate the host vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wende Zhang, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100098290Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle wherein the detecting includes a fusion of a plurality of analyses including monitoring an image from a camera device includes analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, analyzing an area in front of the vehicle utilizing a topographical variation analysis to determine a flat surface upon which the vehicle can travel, combining the clear path of travel and the determined flat surface to describe an enhanced clear path of travel, and utilizing the enhanced clear path of travel to navigate the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wende Zhang, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100100268Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images. The images are analyzed including determining a clear path upon which a potential road surface can be estimated from other portions of the images that do not indicate a potential road surface, and determining an image of a traffic infrastructure indication. The method further includes determining the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, modifying the clear path based upon the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, and utilizing the modified clear path in navigation of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wende Zhang, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100097456Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle using an image generated by a camera includes monitoring the image, and utilizing a first patch-based analysis of the image including dividing the image into a plurality of patches, and analyzing each patch to determine a first clear path confidence likelihood for each of the patches of the first patch-based analysis. Each of the patches with the first clear path confidence likelihood greater than a first threshold confidence likelihood is defined as a clear path patch. A second analysis is utilized upon a portion of the patches with the first clear path confidence not greater than the first threshold confidence likelihood to determine a second clear path confidence likelihood for each of the patches of the second analysis. Each of the patches of the second analysis with the second clear path confidence likelihood greater than a second threshold confidence likelihood is defined as a clear path patch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wende Zhang, Sanjeev M. Naik
-
Publication number: 20100098295Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle including fusion of clear path detection by image analysis and road geometry data describing road geometry includes monitoring an image from a camera device on the vehicle, analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, monitoring the road geometry data, analyzing the road geometry data to determine an impact of the data to the clear path, modifying the clear path based upon the analysis of the road geometry data, and utilizing the clear path in navigation of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wende Zhang, Sanjeev M. Naik