Patents Examined by David A. Testardi
  • Patent number: 10766482
    Abstract: A method and device for stabilizing a tractor vehicle-trailer combination during travel, in which tractor vehicle and trailer are connected via at least one pivot joint, including: ascertaining a setpoint buckling angle for a driving-stable setpoint movement of the combination, and/or a setpoint buckling angle velocity for a driving-stable setpoint movement of the combination, between the combination or between two trailers; ascertaining an actual buckling angle for the effective actual movement of the combination, and/or an actual buckling angle velocity for the effective actual movement of the combination, between the tractor vehicle and trailer or between multiple trailers; ascertaining a deviation between the setpoint and actual buckling angles and/or between the setpoint and actual buckling angle velocities, and if the deviation exceeds a threshold value, generating a control signal to activate at least one vehicle component to control movement of the combination in a direction toward a driving-stable mo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Buchner, Florian Finkl, Martin Mederer
  • Patent number: 10766557
    Abstract: Motor output setting means is provided which changes an output of a motor in accordance with a detection value of position detection means when a screen is driven in a downward direction. The motor output setting means changes the output of the motor in response to the screen reaching a first intermediate position and a second intermediate position between an uppermost position and a lowermost position of the screen. When the screen reaches the second intermediate position, the motor output setting means drives the motor by using a limited output obtained by adding a predetermined addable output to a minimum output for driving required for driving the screen in the downward direction. Such screen control device is aimed at optimization of motor output taking into consideration the catching (clamping) of foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Tetsuka
  • Patent number: 10759477
    Abstract: A driving support apparatus for an own vehicle includes a travel trajectory obtaining unit configured to obtain a preceding vehicle trajectory which is a travel trajectory of a preceding vehicle, and a control unit configured to perform a follow-up steering control for changing a steering angle of the own vehicle in such a manner that the vehicle travels along a target traveling line determined based on the preceding vehicle trajectory. The control unit is configured to, when a first distance condition and a manual steering condition are both satisfied while the follow-up steering control is being performed, stop the follow-up steering control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirohito Ide
  • Patent number: 10754348
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) can process a live sensor view to autonomously operate acceleration, braking, and steering systems of the AV along a given route. While traveling along the given route, the AV can identify an encoded road stripe in the live sensor view, and decode the encoded road stripe to determine location data corresponding to the encoded road stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventor: Brian McClendon
  • Patent number: 10746560
    Abstract: Embodiments are described of an apparatus including a computer to which are coupled a user identification device to identify an authorized user, a transceiver to receive and transmit user data between the computer and one or more user data sources associated with the authorized user, a navigation system, and one or more displays coupled to the computer. The computer constructs a timeline for the authorized user based on the user data over a specified time interval, wherein the timeline displays every user event that falls within the specified time interval, and simultaneously display the timeline and a map on one of the one or more displays, wherein the user's current position and the position of at least one user event from the timeline are identified on the map. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Byton Limited
    Inventors: Wolfram Luchner, Ari Romano Pfefferkorn, Gerhard Kremer
  • Patent number: 10737798
    Abstract: A method and system for providing corrective action to a rotorcraft experiencing motor failure is provided. Included in the method and system are embodiments that receive feedback from sensors directed at measuring a state of motors used to provide lift to the rotorcraft. The method and system also describe embodiments for determining that there is a malfunctioning motor, and furthermore, the appropriate corrective action for responding to the malfunctioning motor. In some embodiments, the method and system are configured to reduce power to the malfunctioning motor while simultaneously adjusting power supplied to the remaining motors such that changes in total thrust and net torque are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Ansel Misfeldt
  • Patent number: 10739150
    Abstract: A method, autonomous system controller, and computer program product generate a first route for an autonomous vehicle to transport a first person from a first location to a destination. In response to determining that a second person satisfies trigger criteria comprising: (i) being at a second location that is within a proximity threshold to the first route; (ii) being associated with the first person; and (iii) being associated with the destination, an affordance is caused to be presented via respective user interface devices to at least one of the first and second persons that proposes that the autonomous vehicle transport both the first and second persons to the destination. In response to receiving acceptance, a second route is generated for the autonomous vehicle that comprises picking up the first person at the first location, picking up the second person at the second location, and transporting both persons to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie Olivia Engle, Mariya Jacobo, Bradley David Ryan
  • Patent number: 10730389
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle information system of a vehicle, wherein an activation signal is received if a preparatory action of a user for putting the vehicle into operation is detected. Graphics data of an activation animation with a first display and a second display is generated as a function of the activation signal and is displayed in a display area. After the activation signal is received, an appearance of the first display is output, wherein the first display includes a first graphics object. A disappearance of the first display and an appearance of the second display are output. Also disclosed is a vehicle information system of a vehicle having a signal-generating unit by which a preparatory action of a user for putting the vehicle into operation is detected, and an activation signal is generated as a function of the detected preparatory action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Anna Braun
  • Patent number: 10710632
    Abstract: An automatic driving control device performs an automatic driving control for causing a vehicle to travel along a reference travel trajectory set in a lane in advance. The automatic driving control device reflects the steering by the driver during the automatic driving control in the travelling of the vehicle in a case where the steering by the driver is detected during the automatic driving control by the steering detection unit and when a position of the vehicle in the lane width direction is included in an allowance range, and alerts the driver to the travelling of the vehicle in a case where the steering by the driver is detected and in a case where it is determined that the position of the vehicle in the lane width direction is included in the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Masaki Matsunaga, Yuichi Kumai
  • Patent number: 10710572
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle having a combustion engine and a further machine, the two drives proportionally supplying a torque for the motor vehicle, and a temperature of an exhaust gas of the motor vehicle is ascertained and the shares of the generated torque by the combustion engine and the further machine are adapted as a function of the temperature of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alper Goek, Matthias Ege
  • Patent number: 10704433
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Kenneth Miller, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 10681865
    Abstract: A header is supported by a pair of hydraulic float cylinders, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration and/or velocity. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. A lift force greater than that required to lift the header can be provided by a lift cylinder and can be opposed in a controlled manner to apply a controlled downforce by the back of the same cylinder or by a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd
    Inventors: James Thomas Dunn, Graham Michael Leverick, Russell George Lyons, Bruce Robert Shearer, Kyle Edward Boch
  • Patent number: 10624263
    Abstract: A header is supported by a pair of hydraulic float cylinders, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration and/or velocity. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. A lift force greater than that required to lift the header can be provided by a lift cylinder and can be opposed in a controlled manner to apply a controlled downforce by the back of the same cylinder or by a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd
    Inventors: James Thomas Dunn, Graham Michael Leverick, Russell George Lyons, Bruce Robert Shearer, Kyle Edward Boch
  • Patent number: 10617059
    Abstract: A header is supported by a pair of hydraulic float cylinders, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration and/or velocity. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. A lift force greater than that required to lift the header can be provided by a lift cylinder and can be opposed in a controlled manner to apply a controlled downforce by the back of the same cylinder or by a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: James Thomas Dunn, Graham Michael Leverick, Russell George Lyons, Bruce Robert Shearer, Kyle Edward Boch
  • Patent number: 10604391
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mast stabilization on a material handling vehicle are provided. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for a hydraulic circuit configured to stabilize a mast of a material handling vehicle in dynamic and static events. The hydraulic circuit is integrated into a typical hydraulic system used to raise and lower the mast and thereby a load supported by the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Yahner, Eric Albert Smith
  • Patent number: 10604912
    Abstract: A current terrain acquisition device acquires current terrain information indicating a current terrain to be worked. A controller is configured to generate an inclined virtual surface extending from a current position of the work vehicle. The controller is configured to decide an estimated held soil volume of a work implement of the work vehicle when the work implement is moved along the virtual surface in the current terrain. The controller is configured to decide whether the estimated held soil volume has reached a predetermined held soil volume threshold. The controller is configured to set the virtual surface extending from the current position of the work vehicle when the estimated held soil volume has reached the held soil volume threshold as a first virtual design surface, and generate a command signal to the work implement to move the work implement along the virtual design surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hashimoto, Kenjiro Shimada, Kota Beppu
  • Patent number: 10584976
    Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for controlling at least one feature of a vehicle based on a destination predicted when a driver of the vehicle does not input a specific destination to a navigation system of the vehicle. A driving pattern is determined using driving information of a vehicle. A driving model corresponding to the driving pattern among pre-stored driving models is determined. A destination of the determined driving model is identified as a prediction destination. Control signal corresponding to the prediction destination for controlling at least one feature of the vehicle is generated for performing a vehicle operation according to the vehicle control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bogeun Kim, Sung Hoon Bang
  • Patent number: 10540900
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving a flight plan request for a drone. The flight plan request comprises a drone identity, departure information, and arrival information. The method further comprises constructing a modified flight plan for the drone based on the flight plan request, wherein the modified flight plan represents an approved, congestion reducing, and executable flight plan for the drone, and the modified flight plan comprises a sequence of four-dimensional (4D) cells representing a planned flight path for the drone. For each 4D cell of the modified flight plan, the method further comprises attempting to place an exclusive lock on behalf of the drone on the 4D cell, and in response to a failure to place the exclusive lock on behalf of the drone on the 4D cell, rerouting the modified flight plan around the 4D cell to a random neighboring 4D cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric K. Butler, Anca A. Chandra, Pawan R. Chowdhary, Susanne M. Glissmann-Hochstein, Thomas D. Griffin, Divyesh Jadav, Sunhwan Lee, Hovey R. Strong, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10525983
    Abstract: An automatic driving system, that switches a driving state of a vehicle from automatic driving to manual driving due to a driver's operation during automatic driving of the vehicle, includes an electronic control unit configured to: determine whether a turning-off condition is satisfied when a direction indicator under the automatic driving is in a turned-on state and the driver's operation is performed; switch a driving state from the automatic driving to the manual driving and maintain the turned-on state of the direction indicator when the direction indicator is in the turned-on state and the driver's operation has been performed; determine whether the turning-off condition is satisfied based on a position of the vehicle under the manual driving or a traveling state of the vehicle under the manual driving; switch the direction indicator from the turned-on state to the turned-off state when it is determined that the turning-off condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Ichikawa, Kunihito Satou, Bunyo Okumura, Maiko Hirano
  • Patent number: 10521981
    Abstract: One example aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for scheduling a vehicle wash. The method can include receiving, at one or more computing devices, data indicative of an actual performance efficiency factor, wherein the data is collected from one or more sensors. The method can include determining, at the one or more computing devices, an expected performance efficiency factor based on a model. The method can include performing, at the one or more computing devices, a comparison of the actual performance efficiency factor with the expected performance efficiency factor. The method can include scheduling, at the one or more computing devices, the vehicle wash based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Russell Bult, Mark Lawrence Darnell, David Michael Lax