Patents Examined by Donald J. Wallace
-
Patent number: 10543844Abstract: A method controls an operational mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV). One or more physical detectors detect an erratically driven vehicle (EDV) that is being operated in an unsafe manner within a predetermined distance of an SDV that is initially being operated in an evasive autonomous mode. One or more processors retrieve traffic pattern data for other SDVs, and examine the traffic pattern data to 1) determine a first traffic flow of the other SDVs while operating in the evasive autonomous mode, and 2) determine a second traffic flow of the other SDVs while operating in a manual mode. In response to determining that the first traffic flow has a higher accident rate than the second traffic flow, an operational mode device changes the operational mode of the SDV from the evasive autonomous mode to the manual mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Peter K. Malkin, Clifford A. Pickover
-
Patent number: 10545504Abstract: Methods for utilizing virtual boundaries with robotic devices are presented including: positioning a boundary component having a first receiver pair to receive a first robotic device signal substantially simultaneously by each receiver of the first receiver pair from a first robotic device only when the first robotic device is positioned along a first virtual boundary; operating the first robotic device to move automatically within an area co-located with the first virtual boundary; transmitting the first robotic device signal by the first robotic device; and receiving the first robotic device signal by the first receiver pair thereby indicating that the first robotic device is positioned along the first virtual boundary.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: AI IncorporatedInventor: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi
-
Patent number: 10538241Abstract: A vehicle front-wheel turning control apparatus includes a drive force transmission path, a braking force controller, a detector, and a front-wheel turning controller. The detector detects one of occurred contact of the vehicle with respect to a forward object at an occurred contact position and unavoidable contact thereof at an unavoidable contact position. The front-wheel turning controller turns one, of the left and right front wheels, to which the drive force is transmitted, by causing the braking force controller to apply the braking force to the one of the left and right front wheels, on a basis of a state of the drive force transmitted to each of the left and right front wheels and one of the occurred and unavoidable contact positions, when the one of the occurred contact and the unavoidable contact is detected by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Masato Nakatake, Yoshiaki Utsugi, Shinji Matsushita, Tsukasa Sato, Toshi Ishida, Hajime Terasaki
-
Patent number: 10519917Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of a temperature of a starter-generator exceeding a de-rated threshold, command the engine to start and disable engine automatic shut-off. And the controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of the temperature exceeding a disabled threshold, or the temperature exceeding the de-rated threshold and a traction battery discharge power being less than a threshold, command the engine to start and shed a load.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Josephine S. Lee, Mark Shields, Sassan Farahmand, Bastian Hartmann, Paul Stephen Bryan, Joseph Andrew Zamora
-
Patent number: 10507835Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for controlling cornering of a vehicle and a method thereof. The method of controlling cornering of a vehicle may include: determining whether a cornering control condition is satisfied based on a lateral acceleration; detecting a displacement of an accelerator pedal when the cornering control condition is satisfied; calculating a sport index based on the displacement of the accelerator pedal and a predetermined value; and setting operating modes of a power train and a suspension system based on at least one of the sport index or the lateral acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors CorporationInventors: Sangjun Park, Joseph D. Chang, Byeong Wook Jeon, Tae Hee Cho
-
Patent number: 10488870Abstract: One aspect is a flight control system for a coaxial rotary wing aircraft including a main rotor system and an active elevator. The flight control system includes a flight control computer with processing circuitry that executes control logic. The control logic includes a gust detector that produces a gust error indicative of a wind gust encountered by the coaxial rotary wing aircraft. The control logic also includes a gust alleviation control that reduces lift on the main rotor system with collective, based on the gust error, and mixes a collective command to a main rotor cyclic and a differential cyclic to reduce an aircraft pitch response and a lift-offset change. The gust alleviation control also reduces a main rotor pitching moment with the main rotor cyclic, based on the gust error, and mixes a main rotor cyclic command to the active elevator to reduce the aircraft pitch response.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATIONInventors: Aaron L. Greenfield, Kenneth S. Wittmer
-
Patent number: 10457350Abstract: A bicycle control system is basically provided with a power supply, a first bicycle electric component and a controller. The first bicycle electric component is electrically connected to the power supply to receive electrical power from the power supply. The controller is programmed to monitor an electrical communication of the first bicycle electric component. The controller is further programmed to stop electrical power from the power supply to the first bicycle electric component upon determining no electrical communication to or from the first bicycle electric component for a first predetermined inactivity period.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kasai
-
Patent number: 10450727Abstract: A mining machine including a power monitor, a sensor, and a monitoring module. The power monitor is configured to measure a received power, and generate a total power consumption data based on the received power. The sensor senses payload of the mining machine to generate payload data. The monitoring module includes non-transitory computer readable media for comparing the total power consumption data and the payload data to generate mining machine efficiency data, determining an operator performance comparing the mining machine efficiency data and the operator performance, determining, based on the comparison of the mining machine efficiency data and the operator performance, at least one selected from the group consisting of a bank difficulty and a bank digability, and outputting the at least one selected from the group consisting of the bank difficulty and the bank digability.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining IncInventors: Matthew R. Collins, Kenneth J. Daniel, Ray Pan, Michael J. Rikkola, Desheng Wang
-
Patent number: 10442544Abstract: A multi-engine power system is described that includes at least a first engine and a second engine configured to jointly provided mechanical power to the multi-engine power system. The multi-engine power system further includes a controller configured to estimate a deterioration factor of the first engine. The controller is further configured to adjust, based on the deterioration factor of the first engine, a first amount of mechanical power being provided by the first engine to increase a service time of the first engine, and adjust, based on the first amount of mechanical power being provided by the first engine, a second amount of mechanical power being provided by the second engine to compensate for the adjustment to the first amount of mechanical power.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Douglas Boyd, Brian Tucker
-
Patent number: 10443292Abstract: A non-contact obstacle detection (NCOD) system for a motor vehicle and a method of operating the non-contact obstacle detection system are disclosed. The NCOD system includes a main electronic control unit adapted to connect to a power source. At least one non-contact obstacle sensor is coupled to the main electronic control unit for detecting obstacles near a closure member of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to detect an obstacle and cease movement of the closure member in response to the obstacle being detected. Additionally, the control unit is configured to release a latch and apply power to a motor in response to the obstacle not being detected. The control unit is also configured to determine whether the closure member is in a full open position, and continue to apply power to a motor coupled to the closure member if the closure member is not in the full open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Magna Closures, Inc.Inventors: Samuel R. Baruco, Gabriele Wayne Sabatini, J. R. Scott Mitchell, Kurt M. Schatz
-
Patent number: 10436128Abstract: A control system of a vehicle includes: an engine; a plurality of accessories including an air conditioner; a battery; a generator; and an ECU configured to automatically stop the engine, control the generator to charge or discharge the battery, inhibit the engine from being automatically stopped, calculate a first stop time as a length of time for which the engine can be automatically stopped, during operation of the air conditioner, calculate a first electric quantity as an estimated quantity of electricity consumed, calculate a second stop time as a length of time for which the vehicle is predicted to be stopped in the future, calculate a second electric quantity as an estimated quantity of electricity consumed, and determine the SOC target value, based on the first electric quantity and the second electric quantity.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masanori Shinohara, Kohei Tochigi
-
Patent number: 10427674Abstract: An evasion and brake-assist system for motor vehicles, having a sensory system for sensing the traffic environment of the vehicle, an actuator system for interventions in a steering system and a brake system of the vehicle, and having an electronic control device in which an emergency evasion function is implemented that checks whether an emergency evasive maneuver is necessary based on the data supplied by the sensory system and then acts on the dynamics of the vehicle via the actuator system to assist the vehicle driver in initiating and/or executing the emergency evasive maneuver, characterized in that in the first phase of an evasive maneuver, the emergency evasion function intervenes exclusively in the transverse dynamics, and only after this phase, decides whether an intervention in the longitudinal dynamics will also take place.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Folko Flehmig, Christian Braeuchle
-
Patent number: 10422657Abstract: One or more processors analyze at least one first user input. One or more processors determine one or more interests of a first user based, at least in part, on the at least one first user input. One or more processors determine a proximity of the first user to one or more points of interest within a first threshold distance of the first user while the first user is mobile. One or more processors match at least one interest of the first user with one or more interests associated with a point of interest of the one or more points of interest. One or more processors provide a notification that the first user is within the first threshold distance of the point of interest.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Li-Ju Chen, Jeff H C Kuo, Chih-Wen Su, Ying-Chen Yu
-
Patent number: 10370811Abstract: A snow wing assembly for a machine is provided. The snow wing assembly includes a wing blade provided on a first side of the machine. The snow wing assembly also includes a first cylinder coupled to the wing blade. The snow wing assembly further includes a controller coupled to the first cylinder and an articulation determination device. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an articulation of the machine towards a second side from the articulation determination device. The controller is configured to extend the first cylinder freely based on the received signal and an amount of articulation. The controller is also configured to receive a signal indicative of the articulation of the machine towards the first side from the second side from the articulation determination device. The controller is further configured to lock the first cylinder in an extended position based on the received signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael P. May
-
Patent number: 10360907Abstract: A wearable computing device includes an input/output port for communicating with an external mobile device, a microphone for receiving speech data, a speaker for outputting audio feedback data, and a mobile processor. The mobile processor is designed to receive detected speech data corresponding to a request to open an application on the external mobile device, transmit the request to the external mobile device, and receive a description of content within the application from the external mobile device. The mobile processor is also designed to transmit the description to the speaker to be output, receive detected speech data corresponding to a request for the external mobile device to perform an action within the application, and transmit the request to the external mobile device. The mobile processor is also designed to receive results of the action from the external mobile device and transmit the results to the speaker to be output.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Rajiv Dayal
-
Patent number: 10343665Abstract: A method for controlling the braking system of a vehicle when the vehicle is switching from a standstill state where parking brake is applied to a driving state includes at least the following steps: a) detecting at least one starting condition of the vehicle, b) determining at least one parking condition of the vehicle, c) assessing whether said parking condition is favorable or unfavorable, d) if said parking condition is considered to be favorable at step c), starting to release the parking brake, and e) after step d), starting to apply the service brake.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Lionel Farres, Fabrice Ranc
-
Patent number: 10286918Abstract: A system and method are provided and include at least one sensor and a controller. The at least one sensor generates data related to indoor air conditions of an autonomous vehicle. The at least one sensor includes at least one of a smoke sensor and an odor/air quality sensor. The controller is in communication with the at least one sensor and controls at least one vehicle system of the autonomous vehicle based on the data related to indoor air conditions of the autonomous vehicle received from the at least one sensor. The at least one vehicle system includes at least one of an HVAC system and a window actuator system. The controller controls the at least one vehicle system to purge and/or exhaust at least one of smoke and an odor detected within the autonomous vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.Inventor: Reilly Patrick Mullett
-
Patent number: 10279892Abstract: A tiltrotor aircraft includes a fuselage supporting first and second wings each having an outboard end. First and second nacelles are respectively coupled to the outboard ends of the first and second wings. The first and second nacelles each have an outboard end. First and second wing extensions are rotatably coupled, respectively, to the outboard ends of the first and second nacelles. First and second actuators are operable to respectively move the first and second wing extensions to dampen a mode of the first and second wings, thereby stabilizing the tiltrotor aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Bosworth
-
Patent number: 10239432Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a headrest of a seat, the headrest including an enclosure for housing one or more acoustic transducers, and an adjustable headrest wing disposed in front of the enclosure. The headrest wing is coupled to the enclosure by a pivot, and configured to be adjusted to one of multiple positions within an angle range around the pivot. The headrest wing is also configured to support the head of a seat-occupant. The headrest further includes a connector disposed between the enclosure and a rear portion of the headrest wing. The connector is configured to provide an acoustic channel between the enclosure and the headrest wing such that audio signals from the one or more acoustic transducers are radiated outward through the headrest wing.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Bradford Kyle Subat, Charles Oswald, Joseph Walter McCabe
-
Patent number: 10232711Abstract: Arrangements described herein can display a set speed deviation for a vehicle using spatiotemporal patterns. A set speed and an actual speed for a vehicle can be acquired. A deviation between the set speed and the actual speed of the vehicle can be determined. Responsive to determining the deviation between the predetermined set speed and the actual speed, a spatiotemporal pattern can be displayed within the vehicle. The spatiotemporal pattern can indicate to a user the deviation between the set speed and the actual speed via the spatiotemporal pattern. In one or more arrangements, the spatiotemporal pattern can be a repeating wave pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: John-Michael McNew