Patents Examined by Adam Mott
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Patent number: 8774969Abstract: In a method for allowing an end effector of a robotic manipulator to travel along a predetermined path or trajectory, wherein the manipulator has a null space with respect to the predetermined trajectory with at least two manipulator positions associated with the same end effector position, a placement of the manipulator in null space is detected and, in a processor, a process variable of the end effector is automatically modified according to the detected placement.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Kuka Laboratories GmbHInventor: Günter Schreiber
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Patent number: 8775026Abstract: A steering control device obtains a command steering reactive force according to a wheel angle based on a wheel angle and table data representing the correlation between the wheel angle and the command steering reactive force, and which controls an electric-control brake to make the steering reactive force equal to the command steering reactive force. The steering control device: obtains a correction coefficient according to vehicle state amounts based on the vehicle state amounts other than the wheel angle, which are detected by vehicle state amount detecting means, and table data representing the correlation between the vehicle state amounts and the correction coefficients; corrects the table data by using the correction coefficients; obtains a command steering reactive force according to the wheel angle based on the table data and the wheel angle; and controls the electric-control brake to make the steering reactive force equal to the command steering reactive force.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kensuke Futahashi, Masataka Kawaguchi, Yasunobu Igashima, Hiroyuki Iiyama, Ryota Adachi, Takaharu Hiroe
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Patent number: 8762006Abstract: This invention refers to an electrically assisted steering system that includes a torque sensor connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The system also includes a torque control ECU that is responsive to torque signals from the torque sensor to generate a motor assist requirement signal. The system further includes a motor control ECU responsive to the motor assist requirement signal to generate a motor control signal. The system additionally includes a steering assist motor responsive to the motor control signal to provide a steering assistance torque to the vehicle steering system. Finally, the system includes a safety domain ECU connected to at least one vehicle operational parameter sensor to generate a torque signal and send the same signal to the torque control ECU. The safety domain ECU is also being in communication with the torque control ECU and the Motor control ECU.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes CompanyInventor: Joseph D. Miller
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Patent number: 8762050Abstract: A fuel-saving path planning navigation system and a fuel-saving path planning method thereof. A plurality of sensors monitors a plurality of roads respectively and periodically report traffic information to a server. The server comprises a storing module and a processing module. The storing module stores the traffic information as history information. The processing module estimates how many vehicles on a road based upon the history information, calculates fuel consumption of each possible planned path including current fuel consumption based on real-time traffic and future fuel consumption based on the historical information, and plans a most fuel-efficient path. Also, the processing module recalculates fuel consumption of remaining path and changes the remaining path while fuel cost of a new path better 10% than the remaining path.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: Wen-Tsuen Chen, Po-Yu Chen, Yi-Min Guo
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Patent number: 8744695Abstract: A fuel consumption saving control device for a work vehicle includes: a vehicle speed detector 11 for detecting whether the vehicle is traveling; an accelerator operation detector 16 for detecting whether an accelerator operating member is not operated; a boom operating lever 23 for detecting whether a command to carry out operation to lift a boom which performs cargo carrying work has been issued; and a controller 8 for carrying out control for increasing a speed reducing ratio of a travel transmission 4 when the vehicle speed detector 11 detects that the vehicle is traveling, the accelerator operation detector 16 detects that the accelerator operating member is not operated, and also the boom operating lever 23 detects that the command to lift the boom has been issued.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Kanayama, Takehiro Komatsu
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Patent number: 8738275Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle group control method that controls the traveling of a vehicle group including a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle group control method includes: a process of controlling vehicles in each of a plurality of small vehicle groups which are divided from the vehicle group and controlling the relative relationship between the vehicles in each small vehicle group using communication between the vehicles in the same small vehicle group; and a small vehicle group control process of controlling the relative relationship between the small vehicle groups using communication between representative vehicles in the small vehicle groups.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuhisa Shida
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Patent number: 8738270Abstract: A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a moving automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to communicate with one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, while the automobile is being driven. The secondary controller can send control commands, such as self-test or diagnostic commands to the vehicle controller to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train. The secondary controller can receive power train related data from the engine control unit and based upon the received power train data determine when to send the control commands. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control a variable displacement engine in a vehicle to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle while it is driven.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: 128 Combustion, LLCInventors: David R. Emberson, Kendall J. Mosher, Chester J. Silvestri, Adam Raper
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Patent number: 8694245Abstract: Map information is exchanged between communication devices. A map of a geographical area is received. The map includes embedded interactive links that graphically represent points of interest within the geographical area. An embedded interactive link that graphically represents at least one point of interest is highlighted within the map. Responsive to selection of another embedded interactive link within the map that graphically represents another point of interest within the geographical area, the other embedded link within the map is highlighted. The map is transmitted, with the other embedded interactive link that graphically represents the other point of interest highlighted.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Michael Zubas, Mark Causey, Adrianne Luu
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Patent number: 8688363Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the speed of an aircraft during a deceleration segment between a first state associated with a first speed and a first time and a second state associated with a second speed and a second time. The system includes a navigation system configured to determine the first state; a guidance system configured to determine the second state; and an active deceleration system coupled to the navigation system and the guidance system and configured to construct the deceleration segment between the first state and the second state with at least one intermediate speed between the first speed and the second speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jiri Svoboda, Mike Jackson, Michal Polansky, Erwan Paricaud
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Patent number: 8676406Abstract: In accordance with particular embodiments, a system includes a path creation module configured to create future flight paths for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Each future flight path comprises one or more branch points marking changes in the UAV's flight path. The system also includes a display that is configured to present a graphical user interface that may include a 3D view of a geographic area; flight paths; and a menu of commands. The system also includes a gamepad that may include two thumb-sticks to adjust the displayed geographic area and the perspective of the displayed geographic area. The gamepad also includes time buttons configured to scroll through a flight time that begins with a current actual time and ends with the end of the UAV's flight. The gamepad further includes buttons configured to select a command from the menu and to select a first future flight path of the one or more future flight paths to be sent to the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Jason R. Coffman, Lee Solomon
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Patent number: 8639427Abstract: A motion control device for a vehicle includes a braking means for applying a brake torque to each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle, an avoidance control means for calculating a first target quantity, used for an avoidance control for applying the brake torque to each wheel via the braking means in order to avoid an emergency state of the vehicle, a stabilization control means for determining a target wheel, to which the brake torque is applied, out of the wheels and calculating a second target quantity used for a stabilization control for applying the brake torque to the target wheel in order to ensure a vehicle stability, and a brake control means for controlling the brake torque applied to a non-target wheel based on the first target quantity and controlling the brake torque applied to the target wheel based on the first and second target quantities.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Yasui
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Patent number: 8634959Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for detecting slip of a robot. The robot periodically repeats a pattern movement in the order of a uniform motion, a decelerating motion, and an accelerating motion, or in the order of a uniform motion, an accelerating motion, and a deceleration motion. The occurrence of slip of the robot performing a pattern movement is determined by comparing a first acceleration of the robot measured by an acceleration sensor and a second acceleration of the robot measured by an encoder.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyoung-Ki Lee, Ki-wan Choi
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Patent number: 8612138Abstract: Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed that may be implemented using one or more computing devices to facilitate or otherwise support one or more processes or operations associated with lane-based road transport information generation, such as for use in or with, for example, vehicle navigation management systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: The University of Hong KongInventors: Anthony Garon Yeh, Yang Yue
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Patent number: 8606468Abstract: To provide a vehicle capable of maintaining a stable state when a rider gets on the step plate or get off the step plate. A vehicle is a vehicle that performs a turning movement based on the rotation of step plates on which a rider rides in the left/right direction. The vehicle includes restriction means to enable the rotation of the step plates in the left/right direction to be restricted. The vehicle preferably further includes first control means that controls the restriction means so that the rotation of the step plates in the left/right direction is restricted when the rider gets on the step plates or gets off the step plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yusuke Kosaka
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Patent number: 8589046Abstract: A method of releasing brakes of a motor vehicle including: if no vehicle start command takes place, after manual application of the vehicle brakes in a position to immobilize the vehicle when at rest is over, an assistance device progressively releases the brakes according to a suitable control scheme configured to make the vehicle move under its own weight, generally tending towards predetermined non-zero speed and acceleration conditions, and then, when the predetermined conditions are considered to have been reached, the assistance device stops releasing the brakes.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Richard Pothin, Alessandro De-Rinaldis, Olivier Cayol
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Patent number: 8583323Abstract: The vehicle-use electronic control device includes a main microcomputer and a sub microcomputer. The sub-microcomputer is configured to be in one of a normal operation mode, a sleep mode and a stop mode, and to learn a frequent use time period in which frequency of use of the vehicle is high. The sub-microcomputer continues to be in the sleep mode if the frequent use time period prevails, and changes from the sleep mode to the stop mode if the frequent use time period does not prevail in order to further reduce the dark current.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hirotsugu Katou, Naoto Sakai
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Patent number: 8583327Abstract: A tire burst detecting and anti-deviation system comprises an ABS system component, a brake chief-pump (2) and a braking circuit (4) connecting to the ABS system component, and an ESP system component electrically connecting to the ECU of the ABS system component. The ECU further includes an acquisition module for acquiring signals from the sensors in the ABS system and the ESP system, a judging module for judging whether the tire burst has occurred or not based on the acquired signals, and a calculating module for calculating the deviation rectifying angle based on the acquired signal. The ABS system component rectifies deviation based on the deviation rectifying angle. A method used in the tire burst detecting and anti-deviation system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Shenzhen Toyi Electronic Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dongping Xiao
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Patent number: 8571712Abstract: A robot system includes a crane unit, a crane moving mechanism, a manipulator unit, and a controller. The crane unit is configured to suspend a workpiece. The crane moving mechanism allows the crane unit to move in a horizontal direction. The manipulator unit holds and moves the crane unit supporting the workpiece. The controller is configured to control the crane unit to support the workpiece at a first position and control the manipulator unit to move the crane unit supporting the workpiece toward a second position and to place the supported workpiece at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa DenkiInventors: Kohei Miyauchi, Yuusuke Hirano
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Patent number: 8565997Abstract: A driving assist device includes a first control portion that controls a vehicle to carry out automated driving, and a second control portion that controls the vehicle to make a shift to manual driving, in which the vehicle travels on a basis of an driving operation by a driver, when canceling the automated driving, and changes a manner of canceling the automated driving in accordance with an elapsed time from a start of the automated driving.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiki Kindo, Hiromitsu Urano
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Patent number: 8565976Abstract: An object of the present invention is to cover a drop in turning responsiveness of a vehicle to a driver's steering operation caused by a limit on the operating speed of a steerable wheel turning unit by a turn assist yaw moment independent of turn lateral forces of steerable wheels to thereby prevent the drop in turning responsiveness of the vehicle when the operating speed of the steerable wheel turning unit is limited. A vehicle travel control device comprises a steerable wheel turning unit capable of turning steerable wheels to steer independently of steering of a driver and a braking unit as a turn assist yaw moment generating means capable of generating a turn assist yaw moment independently of turn lateral forces of the steerable wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Kojo, Theerawat Limpibunterng