Patents Examined by Angelina Shudy
  • Patent number: 9764858
    Abstract: A method controls an operation of a spacecraft according to a model of the spacecraft. The method determines control inputs for controlling concurrently thrusters of the spacecraft and momentum exchange devices of the spacecraft using an optimization of a cost function over a receding horizon subject to constraints on a pose of the spacecraft and constraints on inputs to the thrusters. The cost function includes components for controlling the pose of the spacecraft and a momentum stored by the momentum exchange devices. The method generates a command to control concurrently the thrusters and the momentum exchange devices according to at least a portion of the control inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Avishai Weiss, Stefano Di Cairano, Uros Kalabic
  • Patent number: 9758154
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a first motor, a planetary gear, a second motor, a battery and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute control such that a reverse travel is made while higher power than power before the positive electrode potential becomes at most equal to a second specified potential is output from the engine when the positive electrode potential becomes at most equal to the second specified potential during the reverse travel, and in which the second specified potential is higher than a first specified potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Aoki
  • Patent number: 9725882
    Abstract: A flow control apparatus and a flow control method for a construction machine are disclosed, which can perform ground leveling work for smoothing the ground by the self weight of a boom without supplying hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Chun-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9718544
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to a supply request. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location; (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location; (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area; and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Mathias Samuel Fleck
  • Patent number: 9715004
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for radio positioning of a vehicle using a virtual positioning reference established by logging a known position of the vehicle together with a local time that a first instance of a predictably repeated code word is received from an opportunistic terrestrial radio transmitter. During movement of the vehicle to a second, unknown position, a local clock is used to determine the time difference between when the virtual positioning reference is predicted to receive a second instance of the code word and when the vehicle actually receives the second instance of the code word, thereby providing positioning information when traditional navigation signals such as GPS are not available. The radio positioning information is then used to initiate an action such as recording the location information for future retrieval by a user, and/or controlling the movements of an autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Ramsey Michael Faragher
  • Patent number: 9701206
    Abstract: A regenerative braking control method of a hybrid vehicle may include determining whether to perform regenerative braking in a regenerative braking determining step, determining whether to stop an engine in an engine stopping determining step, and performing shifting to a lowest gear stage driven by a motor in a preceding shifting step if it is determined in the engine stopping determining step that the engine stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kum Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 9694706
    Abstract: A system for reprogramming a vehicle controller includes: a plurality of controllers equipped in a vehicle; a battery configured to provide operation power to the plurality of controllers; and a charging control device configured to sense a connection with a charger providing charging power from an external power source to the battery, request latest software version information corresponding to each of the plurality of controllers from the charger through power-line communication (PLC) while the charging power is provided from the charger to the battery, confirm the requested latest software version information, receive upgrade data from the charger, and transmit the received upgrade data to the plurality of controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung Joon Park
  • Patent number: 9694902
    Abstract: A device for making available navigation parameter values of a vehicle is provided. The device includes components distributed in the following categories: several sensors collecting measurement data relating to at least one navigation parameter of the vehicle; several computers processing the measurement data collected by the sensors and calculating said navigation parameters; several networks linking the sensors to the computers and linking the computers to systems using said parameters. The networks transmit all the collected measurement data to the computers, which calculate a value for each navigation parameter as well as an estimated value of the associated fault, using a single common fusion algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Alain Guillet, Gilles Tatham, Patrice Brot, Marc Fervel, Philippe Goupil
  • Patent number: 9688417
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically determining a speed profile with speed levels for an aircraft. The device includes a calculation unit which is configured for determining a speed profile (P1) which is such that, from upstream to downstream, the speed (V) is maintained at a speed constraint (V1) imposed at a waypoint (B1), up to said waypoint (B1), then a deceleration (T2) is performed from this waypoint (B1) up to an optimum speed (Vopt), said optimum speed (Vopt) being maintained up to another deceleration (T4) ending directly at a downstream speed limit (V2) reached at a given altitude level (A2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Marine Labastie, Adriana Gomez-Zamora
  • Patent number: 9688284
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a drive of a motor vehicle, including acceleration monitoring, including: ascertaining an actual acceleration of the motor vehicle with the aid of a signal of a kinematics sensor, in particular of an acceleration sensor or of a wheel speed sensor, ascertaining a permissible acceleration of the motor vehicle as a function of a position of a gas pedal, and ascertaining the permissibility of an operating state of the drive as a function of the ascertained actual acceleration and the ascertained permissible acceleration, the permissibility of the operating state of the drive being monitored with the aid of alternative monitoring instead of acceleration monitoring when the operating state of the drive meets at least one predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gabor Pongracz, Dalibor Kovac, Matthias Schueler
  • Patent number: 9626811
    Abstract: A vehicle fault early warning system is provided in which a central processing system (e.g., vehicle manufacturer, service center, third party) transmits a warning once a set of conditions is identified that routinely leads to a particular vehicle malfunction, where the malfunction may either cause the failure of a component/subsystem or cause a component/subsystem to perform out-of-spec. The warning may be accompanied by instructions as to how to avoid, or at least mitigate, the effects of the vehicle malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventor: Vineeth Ramesh
  • Patent number: 9603300
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include a method for generating scaled terrain information with an unmanned autonomous gardening vehicle. In some embodiments the gardening vehicle includes a driving unit comprising a set of at least one drive wheel and a motor connected to the at least one drive wheel for providing movability of the gardening vehicle, a gardening-tool and a camera for capturing images of a terrain, the camera being positioned and aligned in known manner relative to the gardening vehicle. In context of the method the gardening vehicle is moved in the terrain while concurrently generating a set of image data by capturing an image series of terrain sections so that at least two (successive) images of the image series cover an amount of identical points in the terrain, wherein the terrain sections are defined by a viewing area of the camera at respective positions of the camera while moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Bo Pettersson
  • Patent number: 9607450
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vehicular safety by utilizing a driving tip model are provided. According to embodiments, an analysis server can analyze telematics data associated with operation of one or more vehicles to identify driving tips that may be aimed to mitigate certain risks or warn of various conditions. The analysis server can provide the driving tips to the vehicles and, in response, receive updated telematics data from the vehicles that reflects operation data for the vehicles subsequent to receiving the driving tips. The analysis server can analyze the updated telematics data to associate certain driving tips with certain telematics data and identify effective driving tips and delivery techniques. The analysis server can update the driving tip model accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Christensen, David J. Dosher, Jufeng Peng, Gregory Hayward, William Messner
  • Patent number: 9599484
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for social media based weighted route selection are provided in the illustrative embodiments. It is detected that a first route and a second route are possible between two places. A first set of points of interest (POIs) is identified relative to the first route. By accessing a social media source, a set of social information is collected comprising information related to a POI. A subset of the social information is organized into a set of categories related to the POI. Each information in the subset is assigned a corresponding weight to compute a value for each information. A total value of each POI is determined using the computed values. From the first route and the second route, that route as presented as socially preferred route which has a higher total route value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Craig M. Trim
  • Patent number: 9594375
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive a selection of a desired location or desired bearing for a watercraft, receive a desired heading for the watercraft, determine a first set of instructions for a first autopilot corresponding to the desired location or desired bearing and the desired heading, determine a second set of instructions for a second autopilot corresponding to the desired location or desired bearing and the desired heading, transmit the first set of instructions to the first autopilot and the second set of instructions to the second autopilot. The first set of instructions and the second set of instructions cause the first autopilot and the second autopilot to navigate the watercraft to the desired location or on the desired bearing while maintaining the desired heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventor: Kenton Sterling Jopling
  • Patent number: 9588222
    Abstract: A preceding vehicle selection apparatus estimates a curvature of a road on which an own vehicle is traveling, detects an object ahead of the own vehicle, and determines a relative position in relation to the own vehicle. Based on the curvature and the relative position, an own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value is determined. This instantaneous value is a probability of the object ahead being present in the same vehicle lane as the own vehicle. By a filter calculation on the instantaneous value, an own vehicle lane probability is determined. Based on the own vehicle lane probability, a preceding vehicle is selected. An inter-vehicle time required for the own vehicle to reach a detection position of the object ahead is calculated. Based on the inter-vehicle time, characteristics of the filter calculation are changed such that an effect of the own vehicle lane instantaneous value increases as the inter-vehicle time decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
  • Patent number: 9580072
    Abstract: A preceding vehicle selection apparatus estimates a curvature of a traveling road on which an own vehicle is traveling, detects an object ahead of the own vehicle, and determines a relative position in relation to the own vehicle, for each object ahead. Based on the estimated curvature and the determined relative position, an own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value for each object ahead is repeatedly determined. An own vehicle lane probability is determined by performing a filter calculation on the calculated own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value. Based on the determined own vehicle lane probability, a preceding vehicle is selected. Characteristics of the filter calculation are set such that an object ahead associated with a preceding vehicle selected in a previous processing cycle is relatively less affected by the own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value than an object ahead associated with an object other than the preceding vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Sudou, Jin Kurumisawa, Toyohito Nozawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
  • Patent number: 9567725
    Abstract: A system and method for various levels of automation of a swing-to-hopper motion for a rope shovel. An operator controls a rope shovel during a dig operation to load a dipper with materials. A controller receives position data, either via operator input or sensor data, for the dipper and a hopper where the materials are to be dumped. The controller then calculates an ideal path for the dipper to travel to be positioned above the hopper to dump the contents of the dipper. In some embodiments, the controller outputs operator feedback to assist the operator in traveling along the ideal path to the hopper. In some embodiments, the controller restricts the dipper motion such that the operator is not able to deviate beyond certain limits of the ideal path. In some embodiments, the controller automatically controls the movement of the dipper to reach the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley P. Taylor, Michael J. Linstroth
  • Patent number: 9567731
    Abstract: A method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for calibrating an implement actuation sensor of a machine are disclosed. The method may include calculating a first elevation value of an implement of the machine. The method may include calculating a second elevation value of a ground-engaging device of the machine. The method may include, in response to determining that the machine is spreading, adjusting the second elevation value based on a compaction factor to determine an adjusted second elevation value. The method may further include determining a first elevation difference value based on a difference between the first elevation value and the adjusted second elevation value. The method may further include calibrating the implement actuation sensor based on the determined difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Carl P. Darukhanavala, Troy Kenneth Becicka
  • Patent number: 9561726
    Abstract: A method for calculating a regenerative braking amount of a hybrid electric vehicle includes calculating a first possible available charging power of a motor when regenerative braking of the hybrid electric vehicle is required; calculating a second possible charging power of the motor by using the first possible charging power of the motor; converting the second possible charging power of the motor to a torque of a wheel axle; calculating an available amount of regenerative braking by reflecting a coasting torque on the torque of the wheel axle; generating a motor torque command based on the available amount of regenerative braking; and calculating a final regenerative braking amount by monitoring a real motor torque according to the motor torque command and correcting an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Joon Kim, Joonyoung Park, Sungdeok Kim, Kyu Hwan Jo