Patents Examined by Frederick M Brushaber
  • Patent number: 10497189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicular control device including a plurality of ECUs connected to each other through an in-vehicle network. The vehicular control device includes a first control device that controls an electrical component and a second control device connected to the first control device through an in-vehicle network. In a case where an operation switch of the electrical component in the first control device is fixed in an on-state and an ignition key is off, data transmission from the first control device to the second control device is stopped, or the first control device is set to a reception-only mode, and thus the second control device is prevented from operating due to a wake-up function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Utagawa, Ryoji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10474150
    Abstract: In a method for automatic movement controlling of a vehicle, at least one trajectory is determined on the basis of environmental and driving state data, and driving state quantities are subsequently calculated for an upcoming time period, using a mathematical vehicle model, taking the trajectory as a basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Brettschneider, Charlotte Grinenval, Nils Hagenlocher
  • Patent number: 10467827
    Abstract: Detected events such as impacts, accidents, breakdowns, and types of driving behaviors based on feedback from tilt, gravity, accelerometers and/or shock sensors within a portable electrical power storage device such as a battery and/or within a vehicle (e.g., an electric scooter) are communicated to the user's mobile device, dashboard display and/or backend systems over wired and/or wireless communication channels. The communication of the events and types of events are logged and automatically aggregated from multiple vehicles for further analysis to determine various potential system-wide safety issues and to track event history on an individual per-user or individual per-scooter basis or individual per-battery basis. Such event data may also be transferred accordingly via the battery exchange process at the online exchange machine through a memory device attached to the battery that stores the event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Whiting Taylor, Hok-Sum Horace Luke
  • Patent number: 10457273
    Abstract: A system and method for providing torque-assist to a rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine control an electric machine in response to operation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to assist the rotation of the rotary shaft. The system and method facilitate periodic operation of the EGR valve to purge condensation without objectionable torque reduction when the engine is operating near full load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashish Kumar Naidu, Ian Halleron, Peter George Brittle, James Wright
  • Patent number: 10449957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle. One method includes receiving, with an electronic processor of the autonomous vehicle, a profile selection. The method further includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a driver profile including a plurality of settings based on the profile selection. The method further includes, when the autonomous vehicle is operating in an autonomous driving mode, controlling, with the electronic processor, at least one vehicle control system of the autonomous vehicle based on at least one of the plurality of settings. The method further includes operating, with the electronic processor, the autonomous vehicle in a manual driving mode. The method further includes receiving, with the electronic processor, data from at least one sensor while the autonomous vehicle operates in the manual driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Akos Nagy, Jan Becker, Shetty Rajaram, Jeorg Vetter, Christian Kremer, Tatiana Mamaeva, Shilpa Gulati
  • Patent number: 10444765
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle that moves automatically within an environment, in particular a cleaning robot, with a detection system for detecting object data in an environment of the vehicle and a calculating device for generating an area map based on recorded object data. The area map has information about a position of an external illuminating device designed separately from the vehicle, as well as one or several items of information about the illuminating device, such as light intensity, emission spectrum, position and/or size of a partial area of an environment that can be illuminated by the illuminating device, and type of illuminating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: David Erkek, Georg Hackert, Gerhard Isenberg, Roman Ortmann, Andreas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10429489
    Abstract: Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SPACE DATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald M. Knoblach, Eric A. Frische
  • Patent number: 10427653
    Abstract: A mobile power plant system includes a trailer having a first leg extending from the trailer and having a first gear assembly, a second leg extending from the trailer and having a second gear assembly, and one or more turbine components positioned on the trailer. The mobile power plant system also includes a leveling system having a first power tool coupled with the first gear assembly, a second power tool coupled with the second gear assembly, a first level sensor corresponding with the first power tool, a second level sensor corresponding with the second power tool, and a controller communicatively coupled with the first level sensor and the second level sensor. The controller receives data, from the first level sensor, indicative of a first attitude of the trailer proximate to the first leg. The controller receives data, from the second level sensor, indicative of a second attitude of the trailer proximate to the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Ka Lok Fong
  • Patent number: 10424296
    Abstract: Methods, systems and cloud processing are provided for coordinating and processing user input provided to vehicles during use. One example is a method for processing voice inputs at a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining a profile for a user of the vehicle using electronics of the vehicle. The profile is part of a user account and the vehicle is provided with wireless communication circuitry for accessing a server over a network for exchanging information regarding the vehicle, use of the vehicle and use of the profile. The method includes receiving via a microphone of the vehicle a voice command from the user of the vehicle. The electronics of the vehicle processing the voice command to enable a two-way conversation exchange between the user and the vehicle. The method acts to access, by electronics of the vehicle, data for learned behavior of the user. The learned behavior is associated to the profile for the user. The method processes the voice command to identify a type command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Angel A. Penilla, Albert S. Penilla
  • Patent number: 10423159
    Abstract: A smart self-driving system includes a body, such as a piece of luggage, supported by a plurality of wheel assemblies. One or more front proximity sensors are coupled to the body and configured to detect an object moving in a given direction while the body is in a rear follow position behind the object. One or more side proximity sensors are coupled to the body and configured to detect the object moving in the given direction while the body is in a side follow position on the side of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LINGDONG TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO. LTD
    Inventors: Ou Qi, Xingyu Lian, Zhaoqiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10421362
    Abstract: A regenerative braking system separate from a friction braking system of a vehicle is disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the regenerative braking system may include at least one actuator and a controller. The controller may be configured to: determine whether an accelerator pedal is depressed; when the accelerator pedal is depressed, determine an amount of regenerative braking based on behavior of the accelerator pedal; when the accelerator pedal is not depressed, determine the amount of regenerative braking based on motion of the vehicle; and control the at least one actuator to generate the determined amount of regenerative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Jackson Hall, Brian Neal Harries, Som Khamly
  • Patent number: 10414488
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems to dampen oscillations of a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the UAV's control system may dampen the oscillations by causing the UAV to switch to a forward flight mode in which movement of the UAV results in drag on the payload, thereby damping the oscillations. In another example, the control system may cause the UAV to reduce an extent flight stabilization along at least one dimension, thereby resulting in damping of the detected oscillations due to energy dissipation during movement of the UAV along the dimension. In this way, the control system could select and carry out one or more such techniques, and could do so during retraction and/or deployment of the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Andre Prager, Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 10417837
    Abstract: A method for identifying vehicle vibration includes receiving signals indicative of a vehicle vibration from one or more vehicle sensors while the vehicle is in operation. The method also includes determining a magnitude of the vehicle vibration at one or more target frequency bands. The method additionally includes determining whether the vehicle vibration is associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle based on the magnitude of the vehicle vibration at the one or more target frequency bands. The method further includes generating a diagnostic recommendation when the vehicle vibration is associated with the one or more wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Jianbo Lu, Timothy Mark Feldkamp, Ryan Lee Baker, Fling Finn Tseng, Kelly Trost, David Scott Rohweder, Daniel Haakenson
  • Patent number: 10417906
    Abstract: A plurality of instances of probe data are received. Each instance is matched to a link of a digital map. A distance parameter for each instance is determined based on the link. Based on a vehicle lane pattern for the link, a most likely lane for each instance is determined based on the corresponding distance parameter. Probe trajectories are constructed based on sequences of instances of probe data identified in the plurality of instances of probe data. At least one of the probe trajectories is analyzed based at least in part on lane change probabilities to generate at least one lane level trajectory. Lane level traffic information is determined based on the at least one lane level trajectory and the corresponding instances of probe data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventors: James Fowe, Bruce Bernhardt, Filippo Pellolio
  • Patent number: 10414635
    Abstract: A remote operation device capable of providing, to the operator, guidance of a work content to be performed by manual work or remote operation on the work machine in accordance with a state of the work machine, is a remote operation device (40) configured to be capable of communicating with the work machine, and includes: an operation unit (42) that generates an operation signal for performing remote operation of the work machine in accordance with operator's operation; a reception unit (40a) that receives detection signals of detection devices (81 to 84) that detect the state of the work machine; and a display unit (43) that displays a screen indicating a work content to be performed by manual work or the remote operation on the work machine on the basis of the received state of the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10407026
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to communicate with a server of a cloud system to enable access to use the vehicle via one or more electronic keys is provided. The vehicle includes electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling unlocking of the vehicle. The subsystem is interfaced with the electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes communications circuitry that is interfaced with electronics of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is programmable to communicate with the server of the cloud system and communicate with a mobile device. The communications circuitry of the vehicle is configured to receive a request from the mobile device for unlocking of the vehicle. The request from the mobile device includes a unique access code obtained by the mobile device from the server to enable sending the request to the vehicle. The unique access code is associated with privileges for use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Emerging Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Angel A. Penilla, Albert S. Penilla
  • Patent number: 10407065
    Abstract: A method, a device and an apparatus for planning a vehicle speed are provided. The method includes: determining initial planning speeds at a target path point and a reference path point based on curvature radiuses of a target front road and a reference front road, such that first and second lateral accelerations are not greater than a lateral acceleration threshold; and determining a target longitudinal acceleration and a target planning speed at the target path point based on the initial planning speeds at the target path point and the reference path point and a reference journey, such that the target longitudinal acceleration is in a defined range. Therefore, a vehicle can drive based on the target planning speed and the target longitudinal acceleration at the target path point, thereby avoiding drastic deceleration and lateral offset, improving driving safety of the vehicle and riding comfort and saving energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: NEUSOFT CORPORATION, NEUSOFT REACH AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Cheng Chi, Guangsheng Zhang, Lu Wei, Wanli Ma
  • Patent number: 10401869
    Abstract: An autonomous driving system having an autonomous driving assistance apparatus includes: a gateway unit wirelessly communicating with a router among a plurality of routers installed in an autonomous driving road; a signal processing unit providing identification information of a vehicle at the time of setting a wireless communication link with each router and providing driving path information of the vehicle to the router every set cycle; a path tracking unit determining a speed, a progress direction, and a steering angle of the vehicle included in the driving path information so as to drive the vehicle based on driving path information; a speed control unit controlling a speed of the vehicle based on the speed determined by the path tracking unit; and a steering angle control unit controlling a steering angle of the vehicle based on the progress direction and steering angle determined by the path tracking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kichang Yi, Hui Sung Lee, Hyoung Shin, Youngwook Song
  • Patent number: 10395521
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for managing traffic in a roadway system based on Basic Safety Message data (“BSM data”) included in a set of Basic Safety Messages (“BSMs”). The method may include wirelessly receiving a set of BSMs describing a set of vehicles traveling along the roadway system. Each BSM included in the set of BSMs may describe a specific vehicle included in the set of vehicles, including that vehicle's lane, speed and heading of travel. The method may include analyzing the BSM data to determine whether there is an imbalance of traffic flow among a first set of vehicles traveling towards a first heading and a second set of vehicles traveling towards a second heading. The method may include determining that the bidirectional lane will be reconfigured so that traffic in the bidirectional lane flows towards the second heading based on the imbalance of traffic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventors: Gaurav Bansal, Hongsheng Lu, John Kenney, Toru Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10384673
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device and method for controlling vehicle motion and a vehicle equipped with the device, such that driving force and/or braking force is properly distributed between front wheels and rear wheels so that steering characteristics are made suitable and controllability and stability improve. This device comprises a means for controlling braking and/or driving force distribution between the front wheels and rear wheels of a vehicle such that when the absolute value of lateral acceleration of the vehicle increases, the distribution to the front wheels is made smaller, and when the absolute value of lateral acceleration of the vehicle decreases, the distribution to the front wheels is made larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Toshiyuki Innami, Keiichiro Nagatsuka