Patents Examined by Angelina Shudy
  • Patent number: 10967856
    Abstract: The present radio system transmits an electromagnetic signal to nearby devices requesting the device respond. The radio system also receives responses to the electromagnetic signal from the nearby devices. Based on the radio technology used, the signaling of the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be varied. For example, the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be a Bluetooth, 802.11, or other radio signal. A device that received the signal from the radio unit may transmit a response signal with the same radio technology. However, in some instances, the radio technology used for communication may operate on several radio (e.g., frequency) channels. Both the transmitter and receiver must operate on the same channel at the same time in order to communicate. Thus, it may be desirable to transmit the electromagnetic signal on more than one channel at the same time, in order to increase the chances that a nearby device responds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Pierre-yves Droz
  • Patent number: 10942035
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an acquisition unit and a position determination unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire at least one of conditions including an order of getting out of the vehicle, a possibility of manual driving, and a combination of positions of sub-mobility devices in a vehicle compartment, and the position determination unit configured to determine the positions of the sub-mobility devices in the vehicle compartment, on a basis of a combination of the conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Aiuchi, Katsumi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10940877
    Abstract: A method includes wirelessly receiving, at a lead remote control (RC) communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system, a request signal from an operator control unit (OCU). The method also includes communicating a reconfiguration signal from a lead communication device of the lead vehicle to a remote communication device disposed onboard a first displaced vehicle responsive to receipt of the request signal. Further, the method includes, responsive to receiving the reconfiguration signal, reconfiguring an RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle to switch from a first state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle receives a control signal from the OCU for remotely controlling operation of the first displaced vehicle to a different, second state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle repeats the control signal to the lead RC communication device of the lead vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Maurice Stanley Hutchins, Gary William Mason
  • Patent number: 10919574
    Abstract: An automatic parking system includes a smart key recognizing sensor recognizing a smart key positioned in a first area, a sensor device detecting parking areas depending on a size of a subject vehicle if the smart key is recognized and a controller controlling the subject vehicle to be parked in an optimal parking area among the parking areas, in which the sensor device may detect the parking area in consideration of a length and a width of the subject vehicle and the controller may calculate a moving path between a current position of the subject vehicle and the optimal parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoon Soo Kim, Jong Gyu Kim, Jae Hwan Jeon, Min Byeong Lee, Seung Wook Park, Jong Ho Lee, In Yong Jung
  • Patent number: 10913353
    Abstract: An operation control method for a vehicle infotainment system for enabling phone projection to be automatically executed during a connection between a head unit of a vehicle and a smart device, and the method comprises: a phone projection setting step of allowing any one of a plurality of phone projections mounted on a head unit of a vehicle to be set; a step of connecting a first smart device to the head unit of a vehicle; a step of determining whether the first smart device connected to the head unit of a vehicle supports the phone projection set in the phone projection setting step; and a step of executing the set phone projection if the first smart device supports the set phone projection, according to the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin Kim, Heewon Lee
  • Patent number: 10914594
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for localizing and automatically operating a vehicle, including the task of detecting environmental data values that represent an environment of the vehicle, the environment of the vehicle including at least one interfering object; determining an environment class of the environment of the vehicle; determining a high-accuracy position of the vehicle based on the environmental data values, at least one filter being applied to filter the at least one interfering object out of the environmental data values, the at least one filter being selected as a function of the environment class, and the high-accuracy position being determined after the at least one interfering object is filtered out; and automatically operating the vehicle as a function of the high-accuracy position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Mielenz, Jan Rohde
  • Patent number: 10906540
    Abstract: Control unit estimates a curvature of an own lane based on a marking detected from an image captured by an imaging device. The control unit performs a steering control of the own vehicle in accordance with the estimated curvature of the own lane. When determining that only single side marking in both left and right markings is present and the road slope changes, the control unit apply restriction to the steering control performed in accordance with the curvature of the own lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Matsumoto, Keitaro Niki
  • Patent number: 10906530
    Abstract: An automatic parking system includes a smart key recognizing sensor recognizing a smart key positioned in a first area, a sensor system sensing presence or absence of a parking section line, and positions of surrounding vehicles when the smart key is recognized, a controller configured to analyze data sensed by the sensor system to calculate parking areas around a subject vehicle, calculate a range allowing generation of a moving path based on the parking areas, determine at least two parking types available at a current position of the subject vehicle in the range allowing generation of a moving path, provide a moving path range for a parking type that is selected among the moving path ranges, and receive a signal transmitted by the smart key to automatically park the subject vehicle in the optimal parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoon Soo Kim, Dae Joong Yoon, Eu Gene Chang, Jae Seob Choi, Min Byeong Lee, Seung Wook Park, Jong Gyu Kim, In Yong Jung
  • Patent number: 10899346
    Abstract: A vehicle for estimating a moving path of an object approaching from behind, and determining a probability for entering a rear lane and a probability of collision is provided. The vehicle includes a speed sensor that detects speed information, a direction sensor that detects driving direction information, and a radar that senses an object approaching the vehicle. A controller then estimates a moving path of an object traveling on a rear lane and approaching the vehicle from behind and determines whether the vehicle is able to enter the rear lane, based on the speed information acquired by the speed sensor, the driving direction information acquired by the direction sensor, and data of the object sensed by the radar. Accordingly, the controller detects a probability of collision with the object approaching the vehicle on the rear lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeong-Jae Yoo, JuYun Ro, Hyung Jun Lim, Dae Seok Jeon
  • Patent number: 10901408
    Abstract: A system for monitoring functions of a work machine. The system comprises an electronically readable identifier associated with an operator of the work machine. A user interface operable by the operator. A processor communicatively coupled to the user interface. At least one control device, wherein the at least one control device is configured to control operations of the work machine or an implement coupled to the work machine in response to receipt of an output signal generated by the processor. The processor is configured to execute a set of instructions stored on a memory such that when executed the processor is programmed to: read out the electronically readable identifier and obtain, via the user interface, an input selection of a desired device function assigned in an authorization database to the electronically readable identifier and to activate a desired function for a limited time duration that is defined or that is specified by means of the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Valentin Gresch
  • Patent number: 10899234
    Abstract: A power source ECU transmits a first message for inquiring whether or not a vehicle is parked at a location provided with a power transmission device, after full-scale power transmission is completed. A vehicle ECU transmits a second message for informing that the vehicle is parked, when it receives the first message. When the power source ECU does not receive the second message for informing that the vehicle is parked after transmitting the first message, the power source ECU determines that the vehicle is not parked at the location provided with the power transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Satoshi Taniguchi, Shinpei Takita
  • Patent number: 10900800
    Abstract: An interface device connects to a mobile application running on a mobile device to provide vehicle navigation assistance. The interface device includes a microphone, a location determining component, a display, a plurality of indicator lights, a short-range communications transceiver, and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a spoken instruction or query from a user via the microphone; send data associated with the spoken instruction or query to the mobile application running on the mobile device via the short-range communications transceiver; receive navigation data based on the spoken instruction or query from the mobile application running on the mobile device via the short-range communications transceiver; determine a current position based on one or more signals received via the location determining component; and provide at least one of a symbolic output or a textual output via the display based on the navigation data and the current position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventors: Caleb J. Herbst, Kyle J. T. Hill, John W. Roltgen, IV, Carey J. Spesard
  • Patent number: 10882640
    Abstract: Energy efficient satellite maneuvering is described herein. One disclosed example method includes maneuvering a satellite that is in an orbit around a space body so that a principle sensitive axis of the satellite is oriented to an orbit frame plane to reduce gravity gradient torques acting upon the satellite. The orbit frame plane is based on an orbit frame vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Timothy S. Lui, Kangsik Lee
  • Patent number: 10870356
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control unit includes feedback control parts, the number of feedback control parts corresponding to the number of multiple motors, generating feedback command torques for the respective motors, on the basis of respective deviations between speed signals from speed sensors detecting revolution speeds of the multiple motors and feedback target vehicle-speed signal reshaped from the inputted target vehicle-speed signal by target vehicle-speed filters; a feedforward control part calculating a feedforward command torque for the vehicle as a whole, on the basis of the inputted target vehicle-speed signal; and a torque distribution part dividing the feedforward command torque into individual feedforward command torques for distribution to the respective motors, wherein the individual feedforward command torques are respectively added to the feedback command torques and, to control the respective motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuto Yokoyama, Masahiro Iezawa
  • Patent number: 10858801
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a machine having a frame supported by ground engaging members and a work implement movably supported by the frame includes a machine position sensor and an implement position sensor to output data pertaining to a position and orientation of the machine and the work implement within a worksite. The system further includes a controller that receives the data output by the machine position sensor and the implement position sensor. The controller computes an amount of gap that is required for alignment of the machine and the work implement with a slot based on the received data. The controller then controls a movement of the ground engaging members for positioning the machine at the computed amount of gap from a cut point located within the slot prior to the work implement entering a cut position for performing a cut within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Kenneth Becicka, Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 10853755
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a client-facing application for interacting with a transport service that transports items via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example graphic interface may allow a user to order items to specific delivery areas associated with their larger delivery location, and may dynamically provide status updates and other functionality during the process of fulfilling a UAV transport request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Lesser, Michael Bauerly, James Ryan Burgess, May Cheng, Rue Song
  • Patent number: 10852727
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, shifting, acceleration, or braking, at least one sensor configured to provide signals indicative of road geometry in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to selectively control the actuator in an autonomous driving mode based on signals from the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically determine a first time parameter based on a distance to a merge location between a current driving lane of the vehicle and a target lane adjacent the current driving lane in response to signals from the sensor, to automatically determine a second time parameter based on a calculated merge completion time, and to automatically discontinue autonomous control of the actuator based on a difference between the first time parameter and the second time parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. O'Dea, Sami Ahmed, Paul R. Williams
  • Patent number: 10845197
    Abstract: A dead-reckoning guidance system determines a vehicle-speed of the host-vehicle based on wheel-signals from the one or more wheel-sensors; determines a distance-traveled by the host-vehicle during a time-interval since prior-coordinates of the host-vehicle were determined; determines a heading-traveled of the host-vehicle during the time-interval since the prior-coordinates of the host-vehicle were determined; determines present-coordinates of the host-vehicle based on the distance-traveled and the heading-traveled; determines when the vehicle-speed is greater than a speed-threshold; determines when the heading-traveled differs from a cardinal-direction by both greater than a noise-threshold and less than an angle-threshold; and in response to a determination that both the vehicle-speed is greater than the speed-threshold and that the heading-traveled differs from the cardinal-direction by both greater than the noise-threshold and less than the angle-threshold, determines a coordinate-correction to apply to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Eric P. Knutson, David M. Spell, Linh N. Pham
  • Patent number: 10843702
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an oil diagnostic. In one example, a method may include intrusively increasing an oil pump displacement to determine if an internal oil leak is occurring. The method may further include adjusting a parking routine to determine if an external oil leak is determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 10821842
    Abstract: An object is to increase the possibility that an electric vehicle is able to reach an operating charging facility. There is provided an electric vehicle comprising: a motor for driving; a power storage device configured to transmit electric power to and from the motor; and a control device configured to control the motor and to set a first rate to a controlling lower limit rate of the power storage device. When it is expected that the electric vehicle is unable to reach an operating charging facility which is a charging facility in service, with keeping the controlling lower limit rate to the first rate, the control device changes the controlling lower limit rate to a second rate that is lower than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoya Katanoda