Patents Examined by Andrew J Cromer
  • Patent number: 11608074
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling a vehicle. The method monitors one or more characteristics of one or more users within the vehicle, and compares the one or more characteristics of the one or more users with one or more corresponding baseline characteristics of the one or more users. The method further determines, based on the comparison, that a difference between the one or more characteristics and the one or more corresponding baseline characteristics of the one or more users exceeds a threshold value, and performs a controlling action associated with the vehicle, wherein the controlling action may be taking a higher level of autonomous control over the vehicle; varying speed and handling of the vehicle; and overriding the one or more characteristics of the one or more users in order to avoid an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Kyndryl, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Jeremy R. Fox, Andrew R. Jones, John E. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11597437
    Abstract: A method for operating a steering system of a vehicle, wherein an actuator is provided for generating a moment at a steering handle of the vehicle, wherein the following steps are carried out: generating the moment up to a maximum moment if the maximum moment is enabled, and up to a lower limited moment if the maximum moment is limited, identifying a vehicle situation of the vehicle, enabling the maximum moment if the vehicle situation is identified as being a boarding and/or deboarding situation in order to brace the steering handle, and limiting the maximum moment if the vehicle situation is identified as being driving operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Schäfer, Björn Makkus, Dirk Dreyer, Andreas Pöhland
  • Patent number: 11577650
    Abstract: A side mirror system for a vehicle is provided. The side mirror system includes a camera disposed outside a vehicle and capturing a peripheral area of the vehicle, an electronic side mirror including a mirror panel and a display panel, a moving device moving the electronic side mirror to an inside or an outside of the vehicle, and at least one control circuit electrically connected to the camera, the electronic side mirror, and the moving device, wherein the at least one control circuit controls the electronic side mirror such that the electronic side mirror outputs an image obtained by the camera through the display panel or the peripheral area of the vehicle is reflected by the mirror panel and controls the moving device such that the electronic side mirror moves from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle, when a specified condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Chan Ko, Sung Kwon Kim, Seung Bin Im, Jae Mo Choi, Deok Yeol Lee, Chang Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 11572670
    Abstract: A control arrangement for an arrangement of hydraulically couplable machines has an interface for hydraulic coupling of the machines, and a hydraulic machine for supplying pressure medium to at least one hydraulic consumer of the machines in accordance with requirements. An electronic control device is configured, in accordance with a load of the consumer, to generate an electronic control signal, which can be converted by a transducer of the control arrangement into a hydraulic control signal, in accordance with which the hydraulic machine can be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schmuttermair, Ulrich Lenzgeiger, Uwe Maier
  • Patent number: 11524665
    Abstract: A method for initializing an electronically slip-controllable power braking system after a startup and an electronically slip-controllable power braking system. Power braking systems are equipped with a pressure generator for conveying pressure medium in a pressure medium circuit. The pressure generator includes a plunger unit made up of a plunger cylinder, a plunger piston, and a plunger work chamber enclosed by plunger cylinder and plunger piston. A characteristic, using which an actuation of the plunger piston is carried out by the motor during the initialization of the power braking system, is selected by the electronic control unit as a function of a piece of information present about the position of plunger piston at the start of the initialization and implemented by corresponding electronic activation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benoit Herve, Christian Meister, Christian Michael Praetorius, Daniel Frank
  • Patent number: 11518358
    Abstract: A device for an automatic parking brake includes a first microchip and a second microchip. The first microchip and the second microchip are configured to actuate an end stage of the automatic parking brake. The first microchip and the second microchip are configured in a redundant manner with respect to one another in relation to actuating the end stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Toni Frenzel, Bernd Stoehr, Steffen Zechmeister
  • Patent number: 11511765
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for a vehicle configured to execute driving force suppression control when a predetermined erroneous operation condition is satisfied, the erroneous operation condition being satisfied when a first condition including at least an operation velocity condition is satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the operation velocity condition being satisfied when an operation velocity which is an amount of change in an operation amount of an accelerator operation element per unit time is equal to or higher than an operation velocity threshold, and the second condition being satisfied when the operation amount becomes equal to or larger than a first operation amount threshold within a first time threshold from a time point at which the first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Kaminade, Takashi Unigame, Masashi Oishi, Yuhi Kishimoto, Yoichi Iwata
  • Patent number: 11505311
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle is disclosed and includes an energy storage device configured to store and discharge energy, a plurality of wheels having an observer wheel, one or more processors operatively coupled to the energy storage device, 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 brake system to determine the brake system is operating in a backup mode of operation. In response to determining the brake system is operating in the backup mode of operation, the brake system is caused to apply a first brake pressure command to the observer wheel. In response to determining the observer wheel is starting the skid condition, the brake system is caused to determine a second brake pressure command based on a target slip value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Nima Forghani, David T. Yamamoto, Steven Elliot Smith
  • Patent number: 11485331
    Abstract: A surface adaptation method suitable for a vehicle includes evaluating a plurality of longitudinal forces with respect to a plurality of sampling points, evaluating a plurality of wheel slips with respect to the plurality of sampling points, determining a maximum longitudinal force from the plurality of longitudinal forces, and determining a wheel slip threshold from the plurality of wheel slips. The wheel slip threshold corresponds to the maximum longitudinal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ming-Kai Gan, Bo-Chiuan Chen, Shih-Che Chien, Chien-Hao Hsiao, Yu-Sung Hsiao, Feng-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 11479123
    Abstract: A vehicle management system (VMS) computer includes a power distribution controller that includes a plurality of power distribution circuits that are each controlled by the controller to supply power to end component loads. The power distribution controller is communicably coupled to a data processing system by a bus. The VMS computer also includes a plurality of settable circuit breakers, wherein each of the plurality of settable circuit breakers corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits. The power distribution controller is configured to monitor various values such as voltages, currents, powers, power spikes, and interruptions and to interrupt a respective one of the plurality of power distribution circuits via a settable circuit breaker upon detecting an indication of a fault from the monitored values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lloyd Sheffield, Femando Dones, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11479220
    Abstract: A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a braking distance based on a gap distance between a primary vehicle and a second vehicle in an adjacent lane, and based on a speed of the second vehicle in the adjacent lane. The instructions include instructions to actuate a braking system of the primary vehicle when the primary vehicle is the braking distance from a third vehicle in a same lane as the primary vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Grant Patrick Mayer
  • Patent number: 11427196
    Abstract: Systems and methods for causing a vehicle to avoid an adverse action are described. In one aspect, a sensor on first vehicle may determine the existence and location of lane markers or objects, and use that information to cause a second vehicle to avoid exiting its lane or colliding with an object. Data transmitted from a first vehicle to a second vehicle may be used to determine a path for the second vehicle, such that it avoids an adverse action. This data may include information used to determine a pose of the second vehicle, kinematics of the second vehicle, determine dimensions of the second vehicle, and potential adverse actions. This data may be transmitted while the vehicles are platooning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Peloton Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P Switkes, Shad M Laws, Lorenz Laubinger
  • Patent number: 11390256
    Abstract: A brake controller is provided as an inline plug between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle or trailer. The electronics including an accelerometer and wireless communication radio are potted within a brake controller housing package. There is no conventional display or input controls on the exterior of the brake controller package. Input settings, and possibly output messages, are communicated through a smartphone or similar software or hardware application. The brake controller can identify a hazard lighting condition and avoid braking the towed vehicle during the hazard lighting condition, and can also distinguish when braking during signaling a turn, using the turn signals of the towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CURT Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lange, III, Joecyl Sanchez, Harsh Desai
  • Patent number: 11390298
    Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for implementing one or more strategies in response to a condition inside a vehicle. The system comprises a sensor to capture data, one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that cause the one or more processors to detect, based on the data, a condition in the vehicle, determine a level of severity of the condition, and determine one or more strategies in response to a determined level of severity of the condition. The system further implements the one or more strategies to resolve the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Diehl, Robert Dingli
  • Patent number: 11352057
    Abstract: A dual path agricultural machine including a control system having a number of input sensors, status sensors, and output sensors, and a controller configured to operate the dual path machine in a stability control mode and a selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode. In the stability control mode, the controller adjusts an actual drive output of the dual path machine according to data received from the input sensors and feedback received from the output sensors so as to reduce a difference between the actual drive output and a desired drive output. In selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode, the controller engages rear-steer mechanisms with caster wheels of the dual path machine and actuates the caster wheels via the rear-steer mechanisms if a criterion is satisfied. The controller disengages the rear-steer mechanisms from the caster wheels or does not actuate the caster wheels if the criterion is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Dreyer, Shane Bollinger, Brendon Charles Nafziger, Friedrich Robert Honeyman
  • Patent number: 11345427
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle comprising a control unit for controlling a steering function of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive route information from a personal smart device and to control the vehicle at least semi-autonomously based on the route information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel David McLean, Tharsika Nanthapalan
  • Patent number: 11341788
    Abstract: A mobile communication device to provide tuning assistance for a motorcycle. The mobile communication device includes a plurality of sensing devices and a processor. The processor controls the plurality of sensing devices to capture a first signal over a period of time based on a trigger input. The first signal corresponds to at least one component of the motorcycle in a first operational state of the motorcycle. The processor further detects a deviation between one or more parameters of the captured first signal and baseline information corresponding to the first operational state of the motorcycle. The baseline information indicates a range of baseline values. The processor further output tuning information based on a determination that the detected deviation is out of the range of baseline values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rahul Khanna
  • Patent number: 11305743
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor vehicle brake system comprises a vehicle dynamic control system which comprises a first brake circuit which acts on at least one first wheel brake, and a second brake circuit which acts on at least one second wheel brake, the first brake circuit comprising a first hydraulic pressure generator and the second brake circuit comprising a second hydraulic pressure generator, which can be actuated electrically for control interventions. Furthermore, the hydraulic motor vehicle brake system comprises an electrically actuable third hydraulic pressure generator, and a controller which is configured to detect failure of at least one of the two brake circuits and a requirement of a control intervention on the at least one brake circuit, to actuate at least the third hydraulic pressure generator for assisting the control intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Michels, Benedikt Ohlig, Matthias Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11281213
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) having an autonomous mode of operation, the system comprising: one or more sensors (102) configured to measure one or more parameters associated with an operator (110) controlling the vehicle (100) to perform a first operation; and one or more processors (106) configured to: determine that measurements taken by the one or more sensors (102) fulfil one or more predetermined criteria; responsive to determining that the measurements taken by the one or more sensors (102) fulfil the one or more predetermined criteria, determine a second operation for performance by the vehicle (100); and control the vehicle (100) in the autonomous mode such that the vehicle (100) performs the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Gary Martin Cross, Mark Robert Goodall
  • Patent number: 11273909
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle is disclosed and includes an energy storage device configured to store and discharge energy, a plurality of wheels, one or more processors operatively coupled to the energy storage device, 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 brake system to determine the brake system is operating in a backup mode of operation. In response to determining the brake system is operating in the backup mode of operation, the brake system calculates a dynamic slip of the plurality of wheels. The brake system is caused to determine a slip error by comparing the dynamic slip with a target slip value of the plurality of wheels. The brake system is also caused to calculate an antiskid command based on the slip error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Nima Forghani, David T. Yamamoto, Steven Elliot Smith