Patents Examined by Anne M Antonucci
  • Patent number: 10144580
    Abstract: A brew basket is provided for use in a beverage brewing machine. The brew basket includes a body defining a brewing reservoir that extends along a longitudinal length from an open top to a bottom end having one or more openings. The brewing reservoir has an internally tapered multi-sided three-dimensional (3D) shape. The brewing reservoir having a first cross-sectional area at the open top that progressively narrows along the longitudinal length of the multi-sided 3D shape to a smaller second cross-sectional area proximate to the one or more openings at the bottom end. The open top is configured to receive heated water from the brewing machine during a brewing operation with brewed beverage discharging from the one or more openings. The multi-sided 3D shape of the brewing reservoir configured to receive a filter pack having a generally tapered multi-sided 3D shape similar to the multi-sided 3D shape of the brewing reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Courtesy Products L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Schwarz, Glennon Joseph Wells, Louis James Morris
  • Patent number: 10146357
    Abstract: A method for a driver assistance system of a vehicle. The driver assistance system can control the vehicle at least partially automatic by an autopilot function. In the method, an activation state of the autopilot function is determined and a display device of the driver assistance system is activated depending on the activation state of the autopilot function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: COLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Lennart Bendewald, Linn Hackenberg
  • Patent number: 10144512
    Abstract: A system for controlling passenger services includes a sensor that generates a signal representative of the at least one of the position of the seat, the presence of passenger in the seat, the position of the at least one hand of the passenger, the configuration of the at least one hand of the passenger and the direction of movement of the at least one hand of the passenger. A first light source, an air supply, and a window shade are disposed at a predetermined locations with respect to the seat. A controller, connected to the sensor, generates a control signal that controls at least one parameter associated with at least one of light generated by the first light source, air supplied by the air supply and a degree of openness of the window shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Gagnon, Joseph Rezile, Marc Kirmoyan, Brad Nolen, Julien Fabrice Lacheré, Jeffrey David Karceski
  • Patent number: 10147315
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to improve the identification and characterization of split lane traffic and other multi-modality traffic conditions. In the context of a method, multimedia data from a camera is received that is representative of traffic conditions along a road segment upstream of a junction. The method identifies a multi-modality condition along the road segment upstream of the junction based upon an analysis of the multimedia data. The method also includes evaluating a plurality of probe points representative of travel along the road segment upstream of the junction in accordance with a detection algorithm to separately determine whether the multi-modality condition exists along the road segment upstream of the junction. The method further includes determining whether to modify one or more tuning parameters of the detection algorithm based upon the multi-modality condition identified based upon the analysis of the multimedia data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: James Fowe
  • Patent number: 10144275
    Abstract: Embodiments for environmental control of a vehicle by a processor. An environmental change in the vehicle is predictively anticipated by monitoring at least one environmental factor over time. In response to the predicted environmental change, a physical change is caused in a constituent portion of an assembly inclusive of an external surface of the vehicle, which when activated compensates for the predicted environmental change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cynthia H. Gaddis, Kelly Malone, Xinlin Wang
  • Patent number: 10140870
    Abstract: A vehicle for maneuvering an occupant of the vehicle to a destination autonomously as well as providing information about the vehicle and the vehicle's environment for display to the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Min Li Chan, Philip Nemec, Brian Douglas Cullinane, Julien Charles Mercay, Peter Crandall
  • Patent number: 10140786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for autonomously detecting and reporting anomalies in actions of an autonomous mobile node, or in behaviors of a swarm of autonomous mobile nodes to an operator. The autonomous mobile node may experience anomalies or unexpected situations due to various failures or external influence (e.g. natural weather phenomena, enemy threats). During a training phase a prediction model and a structured model may be established from measurement data received from one or more sensors of an autonomous mobile node or a swarm of nodes while executing an action or behavior under normal circumstances. A prediction model forecasts the expected outcome of an action or behavior, and structured model helps quantify the similarity of a learned action or behavior to the currently observed situation. Based on the measurement data applicable models can be used for an action or behavior for anomaly detection in the action or behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Episys Science, Inc
    Inventors: Nadeesha Oliver Ranasinghe, Bong Kyun Ryu, Wei-Min Shen
  • Patent number: 10139822
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes an image capturing module disposed on the UAV, and configured to capture image data; and a controller chip coupled to the image capturing module to receive and process the image data; and the controller chip being configured to control the flight of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ZEROTECH (SHENZHEN) INTELLIGENCE ROBOT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianjun Yang, Hao Wang, Yi Jia, Jun Li
  • Patent number: 10139239
    Abstract: A method and system for selecting a subset of cloud stored data related to locations within a road network and sending it to a vehicle. A current position of the vehicle is determined. A most probable path of the vehicle is determined as a set of possible paths ahead of the vehicle that the vehicle is most probable to travel along, and a subset of data is selected related to a location that is along this most probable path. Alternatively, a respective inverse most probable path up to each respective location related to a respective subset of data is determined as a respective set of possible paths leading up to each respective location. If the current position of the vehicle is included in an inverse most probable path, the related subset of data selected. The selected subset of data is sent to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Erik Israelsson, Johannes Ohlin
  • Patent number: 10131319
    Abstract: The present disclosure addresses methods for increasing and varying the range of control of wireless systems used in vehicles. The present invention enables varying ranges which allow a user, for example, to activate lights when an authorized vehicle user is in a close range, and to start the vehicle from a distance before the authorized vehicle user leaves the house. The described systems use variable frequency shift keying, variations in power transmissions, and user defined ranges that can be modified through Bluetooth communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Huf North American Automotive Parts Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Matthew R. Honkanen
  • Patent number: 10131341
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for a power management strategy for series hybrid power systems, such as for vehicles, with limited electrical energy storage capacity that distributes instantaneous power between a source of chemical energy and a small energy storage system (ESS) efficiently. The invention provides for minimizing the energy storage system while simultaneously allowing the chemical to electrical energy converter, e.g., an internal combustion motor/engine paired with an electrical generator and/or a fuel cell power source, to operate in pre-defined efficient regions of the power user's, or vehicle's, fuel efficiency map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mississippi State University
    Inventors: Masood Shahverdi, Michael S. Mazzola
  • Patent number: 10131349
    Abstract: A steering assistant includes a lane width setting unit and a determination unit. The lane width setting unit provides setting of a lane width between lane lines on right and left sides of an own vehicle. The determination unit monitors a lane line state to determine how the lane line state has transited, in which the lane line state involves presence or absence of the lane lines on the right and left sides of the own vehicle. The lane width setting unit provides the setting of the lane width, with a virtual lane line assumed on side on which the lane line is missing, when it is determined that the lane line state has transited to a state in which the lane line is provided on either one of the right and left sides of the own vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10126134
    Abstract: The navigation solution of a portable device may be enhanced using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive navigation solutions at a plurality of epochs over a first period of time. Position information for the device may be estimated at a time subsequent to the first period of time using the navigation solutions. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the portable device may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, estimated position information for at least one epoch during the first period of time may be updated. An enhanced navigation solution for the at least one epoch may be provided using the updated estimated position information and an uncertainty measure may be derived for the enhanced navigation solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Mostafa Elhoushi, Anas Mahmoud, Sheng Mao, Tao Li, Jacques Georgy
  • Patent number: 10126430
    Abstract: In an automated driving control apparatus, an information acquirer is configured to acquire driving control information needed to control automated driving of a vehicle. A degradation information storage is configured to store information about accuracy degraded roads that are roads on which the accuracy of the driving control information is degraded to below a predetermined required level. An information updater is configured to acquire observed information concerning the information acquirer, and using the observed information, update stored contents of the degradation information storage. A route generator is configured to generate a route excluding the accuracy degraded roads stored in the degradation information storage. A driving controller is configured to conduct automated driving control of the vehicle according to the route generated by the route generator and the driving control information acquired by the information acquirer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10119586
    Abstract: A brake element is sensorized by at least one piezoceramic sensor arranged between a metallic support element and a block of friction material of a brake element, the sensor being completely embedded within the block. An electrical voltage signal generated by at least one piezoceramic sensor, without the need for a power supply, is picked up by an electrical circuit integrated into the metallic support element. The electrical voltage signal is processed in the form of equal length of samples per unit of time of the detected signal by successively processing in real time each sample of equal length of time sample of the signal by applying an algorithm. The algorithm is selected from at least one of a sequence of integrations of voltage values in the sample carried out in an interval of time in the order of milliseconds; FFT voltage data sample; and integral of the voltage data sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Merlo, Luca Martinotto, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari
  • Patent number: 10112486
    Abstract: A device for detecting leakage of gas of a fuel cell vehicle includes a gas sensor configured to determine whether gas leaks based on a change in a temperature by a catalyst reaction and a vehicle control unit including a comparator configured to read a variation in temperature from the gas sensor, and configured to control a fuel cell vehicle. A power application state is maintained in the comparator in a power off state of the fuel cell vehicle. Power of the gas sensor is switched at regular periodic intervals. The comparator determines the variation in temperature measured by the gas sensor, and, when the variation in temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the power of the gas sensor is switched to normal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyeon Seok Ban, Ho June Bae, Ji Hyun Shim
  • Patent number: 10112596
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. In response to a loss of controllability of the electric machine, a controller is programmed to operate the powertrain in a limited operating mode. In the limited operating mode, the powertrain is controlled so that a speed of the engine is within a speed range such that the electric machine generates a current to charge a traction battery. In response to a loss of communication with a power inverter that controls the electric machine, the powertrain is controlled so that the speed of the engine is within the speed range and the current flowing to the traction battery is monitored. If the current flow is above a threshold, then the limited operating mode is entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Francis Thomas Connolly
  • Patent number: 10112611
    Abstract: An adaptive vehicle control system that includes processors, memory modules communicatively coupled to the processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that cause the adaptive vehicle control system to determine an autonomous operation profile of a target vehicle positioned in a vehicle operating environment, wherein the vehicle operating environment includes a roadway having one or more lanes, determine an autonomous operation profile of one of more neighboring vehicles positioned within the vehicle operating environment, compare the autonomous operation profile of at least one of the one or more neighboring vehicles with the autonomous operation profile of the target vehicle, and alter a condition of the target vehicle such that the autonomous operation profile of the target vehicle matches an autonomous operation profile of an individual neighboring vehicle of the one or more neighboring vehicles positioned in the same lane as the target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John-Michael McNew
  • Patent number: 10112706
    Abstract: A mobile telepresence system may include a frame, a propulsion system operably coupled to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space, a screen movably coupled to the frame, and an image output device coupled to the frame. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body, opposite the first end portion of the central body. The propulsion system may include rotors at opposite end portions of the first and second arms which propel the frame in response to an external command. The image output device may project an image onto the screen in response to an external command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Clark Sopper, Adam Woodward, Clayton Woodward Bavor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10115309
    Abstract: A method for processing measurement data of a vehicle for determining the start of a search for a parking space includes acquiring journey data vectors, each containing information about a speed, position data and a time of acquisition of the speed and the position data, and establishing a feature vector at each time of acquisition of the journey data vectors, where the information about a current and a previous journey data vector is processed, and where the feature vector comprises as feature components at least one item of speed information and one item of path information. The method also includes classifying each feature vector, where a first traffic category, which represents a vehicle journey, or a second vehicle category, which represents parking space-seeking traffic, is assigned to each feature vector, and where a probability is established, which specifies the probability with which the first or the second traffic category is to be assigned to the feature vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heidrun Belzner, Peter Pedron