Patents Examined by Daniel L Greene
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Patent number: 10565690Abstract: An extraction unit extracts, as a candidate pixel of a disturbance object, a predetermined number of pixels in order of smaller distance from each distance image acquired by a distance measurement sensor, the predetermined number being one or more. A calculation unit calculates a feature value indicating a characteristic of temporal change between each candidate pixel in a distance image of a current frame and a corresponding candidate pixel in a distance image of a past frame. A removal unit specifies, as a pixel indicating a disturbance object, a candidate pixel the feature value of which calculated by the calculation unit is larger than a predetermined reference feature value, and removes the specified pixel from the distance image of the current frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Hiekata
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Patent number: 10549739Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Phillip J. Kasper, Andrew J. Pilkington, Subashish Sasmal, Jeffrey M. Carbaugh, Timothy Carritte, Nicholas A. Broyles, Michael D. Tober
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Patent number: 10549732Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Phillip J. Kasper, Andrew J. Pilkington, Subashish Sasmal, Jeffrey M. Carbaugh, Timothy Carritte, Nicholas A. Broyles, Michael D. Tober
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Patent number: 10546501Abstract: A system and method for tracking rental equipment such as fleet watercraft is disclosed. The system and method includes a communication system and a waterproof and weatherproof GPS tracking device that is easily attached to each watercraft and integrated into the communication system. The communication system further includes a client application running on a client computing tracking device. The client application can receive GPS tracking data from the GPS tracking device, interpret the data in various beneficial ways, and graphically display the interpreted data.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventor: Magnus Berggren
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Patent number: 10544608Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to control a vehicle accessory actuator for an actuated vehicle accessory, such as an actuated glovebox in the cockpit of a vehicle. A vehicle accessory control system includes a vehicle accessory actuator and a logic device configured to control operation of the vehicle accessory actuator. The vehicle accessory actuator is configured to unlatch or otherwise control operation of a vehicle accessory.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Stoia, Veer Nairyani, Evan Small, Luke Simonson
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Patent number: 10543893Abstract: The present invention includes an underwater vehicle power unit and method of operating the same comprising: a fuel and waste stack comprising one or more reactant or fuel storage bladders and one or more waste storage bladders; a heater; a reactor that generates hydrogen and waste; a hydrogen and waste separator; a back-pressure regulator; a hydrogen and liquid separator; a fuel cell; and a controller that controls the temperature of the heater, the flow of fuel into the reactor, the flow of hydrogen into the fuel cell, the flow of water that dilutes the fuel, the flow of waste from the reactor and/or the fuel cell into the one or more waste storage bladders.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Lynntech, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Reeh, Jady Stevens, Tiffany Jefferson, Justin McIntire, Chris Hadley, John Zbranek, Jeffrey S. Parkey, Ashwin Kumar Balasubramanian, Jibi Varughese, Geoffrey D. Hitchens, Marc W. Penny
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Patent number: 10538227Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle deceleration depending on a differential slip between two vehicle axles in a vehicle with an ABS brake system includes detecting at least one of a target vehicle deceleration specified by the driver and an actual vehicle deceleration; and controlling a braking pressure on wheel brakes of a vehicle axle to be controlled by actuation of ABS brake valves in such a way that the braking pressure on the wheel brakes of the vehicle axle to be controlled is controlled depending on a detected actual differential slip, so that the actual differential slip corresponds to a target differential slip. The actual differential slip indicates a difference in a rotational behavior of the vehicle axle to be controlled relative to a further vehicle axle. The target differential slip is dependent on at least one of the detected actual vehicle deceleration and the detected target vehicle deceleration.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: WABCO GMBHInventors: Andreas Boethel, Horst Eckert, Torsten Wallbaum
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Patent number: 10532763Abstract: In a driving support device, an image output unit outputs an image including a vehicle object representing a vehicle and a peripheral situation of the vehicle, to a display unit. An operation signal input unit receives a gesture operation by a user that involves moving of the vehicle object in the image displayed on the display unit. A command output unit outputs a command according to the gesture operation, to an automatic driving control unit that controls automatic driving.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazushige Yamada, Osamu Yamaji, Azusa Gojyo, Satoshi Kajita, Toshiaki Mori, Makoto Okada
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Patent number: 10525984Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing resource allocation are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the system uses an attention buffer to classify glances by a person and/or automated system, the buffer determining the impact the glances have on the person and/or automated system's situation awareness level. The attention buffer calculates on a continuous basis a buffer value that is representative of the situation awareness level for the person and/or automated system at a particular moment in time. The calculated buffer values, referred to as moment-to-moment buffer values, among other names, can be used as data points, and/or they can also be used to direct action by the system and/or person to alter the situation awareness level of the person and/or automated system.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Bobbie Danielle Seppelt, Joonbum Lee, Linda Sala Angell, Bryan L. Reimer, Bruce L. Mehler, Joseph F. Coughlin
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Patent number: 10525950Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Phillip J. Kasper, Michael D. Tober, Claus Beyer, Joseph M. Macnamara, Subashish Sasmal
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Patent number: 10525970Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission, where the transmission is downstream of the engine, and where the electric machine is downstream of the transmission. In one example, responsive to a driver-demanded wheel torque that exceeds a capacity of the electric machine, a vehicle acceleration plateau is avoided by transiently connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a low speed input shaft of the transmission while the engine is accelerating to a target speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jason Meyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang
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Patent number: 10518767Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission, where the transmission is downstream of the engine, and where the electric machine is downstream of the transmission. In one example, while the vehicle is being propelled solely via the electric machine, one or more gears of the transmission may be pre-engaged or selected, to prepare the driveline for an engine start event. In this way, driveline torque disturbance and delays in torque requests may be reduced or avoided upon a request for an engine start event.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jason Meyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Matthew John Shelton, Todd McCullough
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Patent number: 10515493Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for tracking and pictorially displaying locations of tracked individuals involve retrieving a location of the tracked individual and pictorially representing the location of the tracked individual on a display. The location can be acquired using a credentials acquisition device to read credentials issued to the tracked individuals. Pictorially representing the location on a display may involve showing one or both of the location and number of the tracked individuals on a map.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Avigilon CorporationInventors: King L. Tse, Elaine Quek, Bill Yang, Steven D. Lewis, Theodore W. Lepich, Jr.
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Patent number: 10509401Abstract: Provided is an information processing device that is capable of switching between a state in which a device is carried and a state in which the device is not carried in a more suitable form in accordance with a state or situation in which the device is used. The information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on a user and a controller that executes a control process for moving a device that can be carried by the user so that the device changes between a carry state in which the device is carried by the user and a non-carry state in which the device is not carried by the user on the basis of the information on the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiki Takeoka, Manabu Kii, Yasuhide Hosoda, Toshiyuki Kawamura
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Patent number: 10510194Abstract: A storage maintains energy estimates corresponding to function requests for vehicles. A processor of a server is programmed to receive a function request for a vehicle, and direct the vehicle to perform the function request responsive to determining, according to battery information received from the vehicle and an energy estimate corresponding to the function request, that the vehicle has sufficient energy to perform the function request.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Randolph Roberts, Robert Stanko, Mark Anthony Rockwell, Benjamin M. Rocci, Christian Krozal
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Patent number: 10506758Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
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Patent number: 10507867Abstract: A system and method for generating steering commands to cancel out unwanted steering moments is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a controller of a vehicle, an amount of suspension displacement that is caused as a result of driving the vehicle on an uneven road. The suspension displacement induces an unwanted steering moment. The method also includes determining a steering angle command based at least on the amount of suspension displacement. The method also includes performing the steering angle command. Performing the steering angle command cancels out the unwanted steering moment.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott A. Bronikowski, Joshua R. Auden
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Patent number: 10503133Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes one or more processors configured to determine an instruction to be performed by a remote device. The remote device includes a plurality of preloaded instructions, and the plurality of preloaded instructions includes a preloaded instruction that matches the instruction. The processors are further configured to determine a token associated with the instruction. The remote device further includes a plurality of preloaded tokens associated with the plurality of preloaded instructions. The plurality of preloaded tokens includes a preloaded token that matches the token, and the preloaded token is associated with the preloaded instruction. The processors are further configured to transmit the token to the remote device. The remote device is configured to match the token to the preloaded token. Based on the match, the remote device is further configured to determine the preloaded instruction and perform the preloaded instruction.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Secure Cloud Systems, Inc.Inventors: David Schoenberger, Timothy Reynolds
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Patent number: 10501093Abstract: Enabling or disabling vehicle applications for execution is described. When a request to execute an application is received by a vehicle processing system or a change in the operational status of a vehicle is detected, the vehicle processing system may obtain classification data classifying the application and the current operational status of the vehicle. The classification data may indicate an application type of the application and the types of vehicle operation statuses that the application can be executed under. Based on the classification data, vehicle operation status, and one or more rules, the vehicle processing system may determine whether to enable execution of the application or deny execution of the application in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventor: Keun Young Park
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Patent number: 10497188Abstract: A system and method of diagnosing a clutch pedal position sensor of a vehicle includes determining if a speed of the vehicle speed is less than a first predetermined speed, recording a maximum clutch pedal voltage, determining if a vehicle launch event is in progress, recording a minimum clutch pedal voltage, determining a voltage difference between the maximum clutch pedal voltage and the minimum clutch pedal voltage, and declaring a clutch pedal position sensor fault based on a comparison between the voltage difference and a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Scott E Henson, Craig A Alcock, Dhaval D Shah