Patents Examined by Alex C Dunn
  • Patent number: 11034463
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (APU) control system for an aircraft is disclosed and includes an APU, an air inlet having an effective area, an air inlet door moveable to vary the effective area of the air inlet, an actuator configured to move the air inlet door into a set position, one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data comprising a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the APU control system to receive one or more ambient signals indicative of an air density value. The system also determines the effective area of the air inlet based on the air density value. The system is further caused to instruct the actuator to move the air inlet door into the set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. White
  • Patent number: 11027744
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a sensor of an object's safety system is provided. The apparatus includes an input node configured to receive safety information about a likelihood that the sensor senses a safety-relevant event. Further, the apparatus includes a processing circuit configured to control the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure, if the safety information indicates that it is unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within a future period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 11027953
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the travel path of an industrial truck, comprising the steps of: determining a braking distance of the industrial truck on the basis of at least one operating parameter of the industrial truck, adjusting a travel path area monitored by a monitoring device on the basis of the determined braking distance by adjusting the alignment of the monitoring device, decelerating the industrial truck when an obstacle enters the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Goepner
  • Patent number: 11023751
    Abstract: A method for safe route determination, including determining a geographic risk map for a geographic region, wherein the geographic risk map is determined based on a vehicle event dataset aggregated from a plurality of vehicles enabled with an onboard vehicle system, and automatically determining a route between two locations in the geographic region based on the geographic risk map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Nauto, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Heck, Suchitra Sathyanarayana, Charles Hornbaker
  • Patent number: 11021148
    Abstract: Techniques are discussed for predicting locations of an object based on attributes of the object and/or attributes of other object(s) proximate to the object. The techniques can predict locations of a pedestrian proximate to a crosswalk as they traverse or prepare to traverse through the crosswalk. The techniques can predict locations of objects as the object traverses an environment. Attributes can comprise information about an object, such as a position, velocity, acceleration, classification, heading, relative distances to regions or other objects, bounding box, etc. Attributes can be determined for an object over time such that, when a series of attributes are input into a prediction component (e.g., a machine learned model), the prediction component can output, for example, predicted locations of the object at times in the future. A vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, can be controlled to traverse an environment based on the predicted locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahsa Ghafarianzadeh, Luke Martin Hansen
  • Patent number: 11003190
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for determining a positional offset associated with a location of a road sign are disclosed herein. The method comprises obtaining a first plurality of road sign observations of the road sign captured by a plurality of vehicles, wherein the first plurality of road sign observations comprise location data of the plurality of vehicles, heading data of the plurality of vehicles, and speed data of the plurality of vehicles. The method further comprises computing, by a processor, a plurality of longitudinal offsets between at least a second plurality of road sign observations of the first plurality of road sign observations and ground truth data associated with the road sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Zhenhua Zhang, Leon Stenneth
  • Patent number: 11004349
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a go-around system for an aircraft. The go-around system includes a controller, an alert system, an auto flight system, and an auto throttle system. The controller is configured to receive flight path information, airspeed information, and runway information from one or more avionic systems, determine, based on the flight path information, airspeed information, and runway information, a go-around advisory, and output an alert signal regarding the go-around advisory. The go-around advisory is a directive to perform a go-around. The alert system is configured to provide at least one of a visual alert, an aural alert, and a detailed information alert to a user in response to receiving the alert signal from the controller. The auto throttle system is configured to automatically adjust a speed of the aircraft for a go-around based on the go-around advisory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10996071
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Sheha, Angie Sheha, Stephen Petilli, Arun Yarlagadda
  • Patent number: 10994970
    Abstract: A crane risk logic apparatus and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the crane risk logic apparatus, the crane risk logic apparatus is integral with a crane, such as a crawler crane or a tower crane, and located in communication with a load moment indicator. The crane risk logic apparatus receives crane data from the load moment indicator and determines lift cycle data therefrom. The crane risk logic apparatus determines an area of interest based on locationing data received from a global positioning system (GPS) unit incorporated therewith and receives weather data for this area of interest. The crane risk logic apparatus causes an alert notification at the crane to occur in response to presence of weather issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Jim D. Wiethorn
  • Patent number: 10989543
    Abstract: A controller for managing data demand to and from an asset is described. In particular, the controller is configured to obtain streams of local data from one or more local data sources, said local data providing local information of a current condition of the asset. Once received, the controller determines one or more potential future conditions of the asset based on the current condition of the asset and on changes in the local data. A bandwidth requirement is then determined to obtain streams of remote data from one or more remote data sources potentially relevant to the one or more potential future conditions. This bandwidth requirement is then compared to an available bandwidth; and a priority order determined for obtaining the remote data if the available bandwidth is below the bandwidth requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Intercept IP Ltd
    Inventor: Wayne Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10981523
    Abstract: An in-vehicle network system includes a relay apparatus and a first processor connected with the relay apparatus to be able to perform communication with the relay apparatus. The relay apparatus includes a first port for retrofitting a second processor and a second port for connecting a third processor that performs a communication setting process for the second processor connected at the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Moriya, Yoshinori Kakiya, Masakazu Hattori
  • Patent number: 10974699
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for estimating amount of washer fluid to be consumed in a reservoir of a vehicle. In an aspect, a method of a processing device (24, 28) of estimating amount of washer fluid (12) to be consumed in a reservoir (11) of a vehicle (10) is provided. The method comprises estimating (S101) at least one of remaining wash cycles that can be performed and remaining driving distance of the vehicle before the amount of washer fluid (12) has reached a predetermined lower amount of washer fluid (12) based on acquired information indicating current amount of washer fluid (12) remaining in the reservoir (11), temperature that the washer fluid is subjected to, and at least one known washer fluid consumption profile, and generating (S102) data representing said estimated at least one of remaining wash cycles and remaining driving distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Claes Jansson
  • Patent number: 10977881
    Abstract: Techniques are described for determining and performing actions associated with a vehicle based on an analysis of sensor data that describes a state of component(s) of the vehicle. Sensor data is generated by sensor(s) on a vehicle and/or external to the vehicle. The sensor data is analyzed to determine a current state of vehicle component(s), such as whether a component is damaged or otherwise in need of repair or maintenance. The analysis of the sensor data may be performed by a rules engine that applies a set of rules indicating what action(s) are to be performed based on certain detected states of the vehicle component(s) indicated by the sensor data. The rule(s) may also indicate instances in which action(s) can be performed automatically or autonomously in response to detecting vehicle component state(s), or whether authorization is to be requested from an owner, operator, or other individual associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Andre R. Buentello, Gregory David Hansen
  • Patent number: 10974702
    Abstract: An electronic display for an aerial device is provided. The electronic display replaces a traditional load chart including the operational parameters of the aerial device being used. The electronic display electrically connected with a computer control system connected to a sensor for collecting at least one piece of data relating to the operational parameters of the aerial device. The computer control system calculating the current operational parameter of the aerial device based on the at least one piece of data collected by the sensor and updating the operational parameters of the aerial device and displaying a graphical representation of the updated operational parameters on the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Spartan Fire, LLC
    Inventor: James Roger Lackore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10977850
    Abstract: An example system includes an electronic device and a server. The electronic device includes a display; a first communicator; and a first controller configured to: control to transmit, to the server, location data identifying locations of the electronic device. The server includes a second communicator; and a second controller configured to: control to receive the location data; identify a course of travel; link photograph images to locations on the course of travel; and control to transmit to the electronic device the course of travel and the photograph images. The first controller of the electronic device is configured to control to receive the course of travel and the photograph images and to control to display on the display, at the same time, a map image, the course of travel, and one or more of the photograph images linked to a selected location on the course of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo-Yong Chang, Seung-dong Yu, Se-jun Park, Min-jeong Moon
  • Patent number: 10978993
    Abstract: A system for redirecting light to a mobile platform includes a satellite and a mobile platform including a first RF antenna that transmits a trajectory data for the mobile platform, and a photovoltaic cell that converts light into electrical energy. The satellite includes a second RF antenna that receives the trajectory data, and a processor coupled to the second RF antenna. The processor computes a target position of the mobile platform based on the trajectory data, and instructs a diffuser system to generate the beam of light and direct the beam to the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralf René Shu-Zhong Cabos, Nils Kneuper
  • Patent number: 10969785
    Abstract: An operating system for an automated vehicle equipped with limited field-of-view sensors is provided. The system includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector detects objects proximate to a host-vehicle. A field-of-view of the object-detector is characterized by a preferred-portion of the field-of-view, where the preferred-portion is characterized as preferred for using the object-detector. The controller is in communication with the object-detector. The controller steers the host-vehicle to align the preferred-portion with a detected-object. The system optionally includes an intersecting-road-indicator that indicates an intersecting-road connected to an intersection approached by the host-vehicle, and the controller is in communication with the intersecting-road-indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Junsung Kim, Wenda Xu, Junqing Wei
  • Patent number: 10967873
    Abstract: A processor associated with a vehicle receives sensor data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle. Each sensor is configured to measure a different parameter of a driver of the vehicle. The processor applies a model to the received sensor data, which when applied causes the processor to output a determination, based on the parameters of the driver, of attentiveness of the driver to driving the vehicle. Responsive to the determination indicating the driver is not attentive to driving the vehicle, the processor causes the vehicle to output an alert to the driver or to automatically control a driving function of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cobalt Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Rana June Sobhany
  • Patent number: 10968606
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for estimating yaw of an implement relative to a machine. The yaw is estimated using gyro signals. The gyro signals may be provided by gyro sensors such as IMUs that are coupled to the implement and machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Francisco R. Green
  • Patent number: 10960838
    Abstract: A sensor fusion system associated with a vehicle includes a sensor interface communicatively coupled to a plurality of sensors in the vehicle and a vehicle experience system. The sensor interface comprises an input receiving data from each of the plurality of sensors and an output configured to output fused vehicle data based on the data received from the plurality of sensors. The vehicle experience system is coupled to the output of the sensors interface to receive the fused vehicle data. The vehicle experience system includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to control at least one parameter of the vehicle based on the fused vehicle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Cobalt Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Rana June Sobhany