Patents Examined by Donald J. Wallace
  • Patent number: 12223778
    Abstract: Examples described may enable provision of remote assistance for an autonomous vehicle. An example method includes a computing system operating in a rewind mode. In the rewind mode, the system may be configured to provide information to a remote assistance operated based on a remote-assistance triggering criteria being met, such as determining that the autonomous vehicle has been stopped for a period of time. When the triggering criteria is met, the remote assistance system may provide data from the time leading up to when the remote-assistance triggering criteria was met that was capture of the environment of autonomous vehicle to the remote assistance operator. Based on viewing the data, the remote assistance operator may provide and input to the system that causes a command to be issued to the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Dmitri Dolgov, Joshua Herbach
  • Patent number: 12221224
    Abstract: A fuel-based flight indicator apparatus for an electric aircraft is illustrated. The apparatus comprises a flight indicator and a computing device communicatively connected to the flight indicator, wherein the computing device is configured to receive a battery datum from a battery sensor located in the electric aircraft, receive an environmental datum from an environmental sensor located in the electric aircraft, determine an indicator datum as a function of the battery datum, the environmental datum, and a flight plan, and display the indicator datum on the flight indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: BETA AIR LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Hoekje List, Vincent Moeykens, Thomas Henck
  • Patent number: 12221225
    Abstract: A sensor lift mechanism for deploying a sensor from a tail cone of an aircraft includes a frame mounted onto a side wall of the tail cone via a mounting assembly. The frame includes a first roller track and a second roller track aligned with the first roller track. A roller carriage assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured for rolling along the first and second roller tracks. A sensor platform is mechanically coupled to the carriage assembly and configured for mounting the sensor thereto. A drive unit is operatively coupled to the frame. The drive unit translates the roller carriage assembly vertically between the first and second roller tracks to move the sensor platform between a stowed position and a deployed position. A floor of the tail cone includes a track door configured to open for deploying the sensor beneath the tail cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Collado, Jonathan J. Kalinowski, Patrick Klausmeyer, Lance A. Kawabata
  • Patent number: 12223846
    Abstract: An all-inclusive method for planning the operation of an aerial vehicle, in particular an eVTOL, which operation is divided into different operational areas each with its own individually validatable and inspectable planning methodology, including (i) pre-processing data on a computer basis on the ground before takeoff of the aerial vehicle; (ii) taking along pre-planned results of the data pre-processing in the form of a database (33, 44) on board the aerial vehicle, preferably after transferring the pre-planned results into the database (33, 44) on board the aerial vehicle; (iii) combining the pre-planned results by means of a computer-based decision logic (28) with planning steps at the flying time in accordance with a state of the aerial vehicle recorded by sensors for generating a current flight path; and (iv) controlling the aerial vehicle along the current flight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Volocopter GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ortlieb, Florian-Michael Adolf
  • Patent number: 12213400
    Abstract: A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Mark E. Barker
  • Patent number: 12215978
    Abstract: To improve accuracy of position estimation on the basis of a plurality of estimation results. An information processing device includes: a first estimator that estimates a self-position on the basis of a first coordinate system; a second estimator that estimates a self-position on the basis of a second coordinate system different from the first coordinate system; and an information acquisition part that, in a case where reliability of one of a first estimation result by the first estimator and a second estimation result by the second estimator in a coordinate system of the one estimation result is lower than a predetermined threshold, acquires self-position information on the basis of another estimation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikio Nakai
  • Patent number: 12214868
    Abstract: Braking systems and methods for an electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are provided. A braking system may contain a pilot control device, brakes, wheels, sensors, and a controller. Pilot controls the pilot control device to transmit information to the controller such that the aircraft will slow down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: BETA AIR LLC
    Inventors: Lochie Ferrier, Riley Clinton Griffin
  • Patent number: 12213023
    Abstract: A container includes a body. The body has a cavity for storage of cargo. The container includes a transceiver coupled to the body. The container also includes processing circuitry coupled to the body and the transceiver. The processing circuitry is configured to, subsequent to determination of a route for delivery of first cargo, detect a re-route condition. The processing circuitry is configured to, in response to detection of the re-route condition, determine an updated route for delivery of the first cargo. The processing circuitry is also configured to send a command to cause the transceiver to transmit a signal to cause the container to be deployed from a first location to a second location of the updated route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Motogo, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Ruth, Yuan-Chang Lo
  • Patent number: 12205186
    Abstract: Improved security checkpoint includes a security scanning system having multiple personal item intake locations, a security scanner, multiple personal item retrieval locations, and a plurality of computer-controlled vehicles for transporting personal items between the personal item intake locations, the security scanner, and the personal item retrieval locations. Personal items are placed into a tote by an individual, and the computer-controlled vehicles collect the totes containing the personal items, transport the tote to an available security scanner, deposit the tote at the security scanner, and then transport the tote either to a retrieval location or secondary screening location after the personal item has been screened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: TOMPKINS ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Serstad, Michael C. Futch, Weston R. Goode, Jr., David Mitchell Dorsett
  • Patent number: 12202597
    Abstract: A control device controls an electric drive system mounted on an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a rotor, and including a drive motor that turns the rotor. The control device controls the electric drive system to operate selectively in any one operation mode of at least two operation modes: a normal mode and a functional test mode. In the normal mode, the control device controls the drive motor in accordance with a command from a body control device that controls the flight of the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. In the functional test mode, the control device controls the drive motor in accordance with a command sent from outside according to a functional test program, or in accordance with the functional test program preset in the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mariko Hashimoto, Akira Iwakawa, Syun Sugita, Yuuichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 12202504
    Abstract: A method of providing an onboard assistant for a vehicle, comprising: receiving sensor data from sensors of the vehicle; transforming the sensor data using a trained machine learning model to provide transformed sensor data; inferring from the transformed sensor data that a special condition for the vehicle requires intervention; and contacting an operator of the vehicle to inform the operator of the special condition and receive instructions for handling the special condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: MinJie Tong, David Shuckerow, Christopher Warren, Bharatkumar Patel, Yosser D'Avanzo, Bonnie Lin, Livia Johanna, Bridget Collins
  • Patent number: 12202505
    Abstract: A method of providing an onboard assistant for a vehicle, comprising: receiving sensor data from sensors of the vehicle; transforming the sensor data using a trained machine learning model to provide transformed sensor data; inferring from the transformed sensor data that a special condition for the vehicle requires intervention; and contacting an operator of the vehicle to inform the operator of the special condition and receive instructions for handling the special condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Livia Johanna, Bridget Collins, MinJie Tong, David Shuckerow, Christopher Warren, Bharatkumar Patel, Yosser D'Avanzo, Bonnie Lin
  • Patent number: 12205417
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for validating object detection. For example, an apparatus can receive a message from a wireless device. The message includes object data corresponding to one or more objects reported by the wireless device to be within a field-of-view of the apparatus. The apparatus can further determine, based on the object data, whether the wireless device has misreported at least one of the one or more objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Soumya Das, Mohammad Nekoui, Jonathan Petit, Dan Vassilovski
  • Patent number: 12197209
    Abstract: Device, system, and method of autonomous driving and tele-operated vehicles. A vehicular Artificial Intelligence (AI) unit, is configured: to receive inputs from a plurality of vehicular sensors of a vehicle; to locally process within the vehicle at least a first portion of the inputs; to wirelessly transmit via a vehicular wireless transmitter at least a second portion of the inputs to a remote tele-driving processor located externally to the vehicle; to wirelessly receive via a vehicular wireless receiver from the remote tele-driving processor, a remotely-computed processing result that is received from a remote Artificial Intelligence (AI) unit; and to implement a vehicular operating command based on the remotely-computed processing result, via an autonomous driving unit of the vehicle or via a tele-driving unit of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: DRIVEU TECH LTD.
    Inventor: Baruch Yosef Altman
  • Patent number: 12181881
    Abstract: An information output apparatus provided with an acquisition unit that acquires machine identification information and information indicating an operation amount; an identification unit that identifies at least one of a model type of the unmanned moving apparatuses, a purpose of use of the unmanned moving apparatuses, an operation region of the unmanned moving apparatus or component information indicating a component included in the unmanned moving apparatuses, which are associated with the machine identification information; a selection unit that selects an inspection threshold value corresponding to the attribute, as an attribute of the unmanned moving apparatus; a determination unit that determines whether or not a cumulative operation amount calculated by cumulating the operation amount is greater than the inspection threshold value; and an output unit that outputs determination results from the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: KDDI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaya Tanaka, Hiroshi Kawana
  • Patent number: 12181871
    Abstract: An information presentation method that is executed by a computer includes acquiring travelling path information that includes a cleaning path and a relocation path, the cleaning path showing positions cleaned by a self-propelled vacuum cleaner in each of a plurality of regions included in a specific area, and the relocation path showing a route of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner that has travelled from one region to another region different from the one region out of the regions, the route being included in the specific area; generating presentation information that includes the cleaning path and the relocation path and that changes the mode of display of at least one of the cleaning path or the relocation path when a specific condition is satisfied; and presenting the presentation information to the user as the travelling path of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner in the specific area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 12172669
    Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to: receive sensor data representing a perceived driving environment, select a reinforcement learning agent from a plurality of reinforcement learning agents based on a challenge score calculated using the sensor data and a desired driving style, and generate, via the selected reinforcement learning agent, a driving action based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alireza Esna Ashari Esfahani, Sayyed Rouhollah Jafari Tafti, Marcus James Huber
  • Patent number: 12168523
    Abstract: This application discloses an apparatus and method for displaying pilot control authority. This apparatus and method include using a controller to identify a condition of an aircraft and determine a limitation in pilot control authority. Using this, an indicator on a display may show a visual representation of a pilot control authority, the limitations thereof, and a pilot input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Hoekje List, Vincent Moeykens
  • Patent number: 12169130
    Abstract: A method of facilitating first mile/last mile transfer of a vehicle includes: analyzing a first route and a second route using a trained machine learning model to determine, respectively, a first cost of the first route and a second cost of the second route to a user; wherein the trained machine learning model is trained using at least one of a detour in time, a delay in miles, a time of day, a traffic congestion factor, or profile information about a ride share passenger; causing a message including the first cost and the second cost to be displayed to the user via an electronic device of the user; and receiving an indication of whether the user selects the first route or the second route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Brannan, Ryan M. Gross
  • Patent number: 12162596
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing a motion of a rotor blade of a rotor comprising the steps: read into a controller, a measurement from a sensor responsive to said rotor blade; determine an out-of-compliance motion of the rotor blade; and output a first control signal to an actuator affecting the rotor blade such that a vibration mode of said rotor blade is dampened. The damping may be achieved by changing the drag, lift or torsion of the rotor blade. The out-of-compliance motion may be a lead, lag, upward motion, downward motion or twist of the rotor blade away from a nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph John Andrews