Patents Examined by Gertrude Arthur-Jeanglaude
  • Patent number: 11776254
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a computer-implemented method for guiding a user along a route, the method including receiving route information from a route server, where the route information includes geographical positions of roads and designated lanes of travel for each of a plurality of segments along the route, and receiving a series of images captured by the camera along the route. The method includes analyzing the series of images to determine a horizon and one or more available lanes of travel along the route, identifying one or more designated lanes from the one or more available lanes based on the analyzing of the series of images, and displaying the series of images along with a navigational layer superimposed over the series of images to the user, the navigational layer comprising a blocked region covering areas of the series of images outside of the one or more designated lanes and below the horizon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Woo Chang
  • Patent number: 11772480
    Abstract: A transaxle-integrated cooling circulation system includes a drive motor, an inverter disposed on one surface of the drive motor and electrically connected with the drive motor, a speed reducer including a drive shaft connected with a rotary shaft of the drive motor and a driven shaft having a different RPM from the drive shaft, a first circulation channel extending to allow a lubricating fluid in the speed reducer to make contact with the drive motor, a second circulation channel that is connected with the first circulation channel and that passes through a contact surface between the drive motor and the inverter, and a third circulation channel that is connected with the second circulation channel and that introduces the lubricating fluid into the speed reducer again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DRIVETECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 11774979
    Abstract: Techniques are discussed for determining a data level for portions of data for processing. In some cases, a data level can correspond to a resolution level, a compression level, a bit rate, and the like. In the context of image data, the techniques can determine a region of first image data to be processed a high resolution and a region of second image data to be processed at a low resolution. The regions can be determined by a machine learned algorithm that is trained to output identifications of such regions. Training data may be determined by identifying differences in outputs based on the first and second image data. The image data associated with the determined regions and the determined resolutions can be processed to perform object detection, classification, segmentation, bounding box generation, and the like, thereby conserving processing, bandwidth, and/or memory resources in real time systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse Sol Levinson
  • Patent number: 11758833
    Abstract: A work vehicle is presented with which it is possible to prevent an operator from being mislead in cases where the positioning status frequently changes. This work vehicle is provided with: a positioning unit that receives a positioning signal from a satellite positioning system, and measures the work vehicle position on the basis of the positioning signal; a control unit that determines the positioning accuracy on the basis of the positioning status of the positioning unit, and permits autonomous travel when the positioning accuracy is at least a prescribed accuracy; and a notification unit that executes, in accordance with a control performed by the control unit, a first notification indicating that the positioning accuracy is a first accuracy that is at least a prescribed accuracy and a second notification indicating that the positioning accuracy is a second accuracy that is at least a prescribed accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Ueda, Tomoyuki Kuroda, Shinsuke Ozaki, Kenichi Miyai, Kenta Onishi
  • Patent number: 11755013
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett
  • Patent number: 11745899
    Abstract: An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys a code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WING Aviation LLC
    Inventors: Damien Jourdan, Anthony Sekine, Scott Velez, André Prager
  • Patent number: 11747146
    Abstract: An advanced map matching algorithm is disclosed, which embeds the road topology inherently in a set of path candidates. Road connectivity is maintained even in special situations such as U-turns, reverse driving, and tunnels. Careful path candidate management is designed to reduce the candidate count while preserving well-matching candidates. Paths are treated and evaluated independently using multiple criteria, which makes the algorithm reliable and robust in different scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V.
    Inventors: Lauri Koponen, Rui Sun
  • Patent number: 11747158
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles based on an analysis of input component data obtained from the navigation-enabled devices. The navigation system scores the input component data to obtain a measure of frustration (e.g., a feeling of being upset or annoyed) of the user of the navigation-enabled device. The navigation system may provide a detour suggestion for display on the navigation-enabled device to persuade the user of the device to direct their vehicle to depart from its current location or route in an effort to remove the vehicle from traffic, and thereby reduce the frustration level of the user. The detour suggestion may include an alternative route to the original destination, or an alternative destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Dane Glasgow, Matthew Bret MacLaurin, Neville Rhys Newey, Justin VanWinkle, Christopher Michael Hall, Trista Mcneill, David Ramadge
  • Patent number: 11741835
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises a control unit configured to: acquire information about a predetermined travel route of a vehicle that travels with a plurality of users on board; acquire a current position of the vehicle; compare the current position of the vehicle and the predetermined travel route against each other, and perform determination as to whether the vehicle is traveling along the predetermined travel route or not; and issue a notification to a predetermined device, in a case where a deviation of the vehicle from the predetermined travel route is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Kaneko, Junya Masui, Yui Nakamura, Ai Fujimura, Keisuke Tsujimoto, Tomoyuki Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 11724687
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and providing towing acceleration assistance between towing vehicles and towed vehicles during vehicle towing events are disclosed. The towing acceleration assistance may be provided by the towed vehicle in the form of an assistive propulsive torque to assist the towing vehicle with acceleration during the towing event when one or more vehicle conditions indicate a need for the towing acceleration assistance. The towing acceleration assistance may end when the one or more vehicle conditions no longer indicate the need for the towing acceleration assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Ryan J. O'Gorman, Michael Blischke, Katherine Howard-Cone, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Hussein Berry
  • Patent number: 11718400
    Abstract: Provided is a seeder assembly for an aerial vehicle as shown and described. The distribution assembly includes a frame selectively attachable to an aerial vehicle and at least one distribution device attached to the frame. The distribution device having a body defining a cavity to receive a plurality of products and a barrel to discharge the plurality of products. A control device configured to communicate with the aerial vehicle and the distribution device to coordinate the timing that products are discharged and a spacing of a subsequent discharged product relative to the speed of the aerial vehicle. A system, method, and cartridge device associated with the distribution assembly are also contemplated by this disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen Zvara
  • Patent number: 11719814
    Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile platform includes measuring a distance between the mobile platform and an object when the mobile platform is located at each of a plurality of positions to obtain a plurality of measured distances each being obtained at one of the plurality of positions. Location information of the plurality of positions of the mobile platform is obtained by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the mobile platform. The at least two distance sensors being configured to capture data from different directions. The method further includes determining a position of the object based on the plurality of measured distances and the location information and controlling the mobile platform to avoid the object based on the results of the determined position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jiebin Xie
  • Patent number: 11721134
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a dynamic processing system for roadside service control and output generation. A computing platform may receive, from a client device, video content corresponding to a disabled vehicle, which may include geotagging information corresponding to a location of the disabled vehicle. Based on the video content and the geotagging information, the computing platform may determine a provider output indicating a potential service provider for assisting with the disabled vehicle. The computing platform may send, to the client device, an indication of the provider output. In response to receiving an indication that the potential service provider is acceptable, the computing platform may send a request to dispatch a driver of the potential service provider to the location of the disabled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Kamal Natarajan, Basil Hirzalla, Paul Turnbull, Kyle Walters, Mindy Domingo, Zachary Quinn, Korey Boone, Wilton Hunt, Sarah Bedoe, Nicolas Couturier
  • Patent number: 11710417
    Abstract: Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Haskins, Noel J. Duerksen, Benjamin N. Patel, Eric Tran, Joseph R. Lombardo, Clayton E. Barber
  • Patent number: 11707955
    Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Smith, Lawrence S. Klein, Stephen A. Langenderfer, Martin E. Sotola, Vikas Bahl, Mark H. Rosenblum, Peter James, Dale Rowley, Matthew S. Johannes, Gary Seminara, Jeremy M. Nett, Christopher T. Bate, Michael Patrick Cutter
  • Patent number: 11704943
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing usage-based maintenance services for a plurality of vehicles arranged in a fleet includes receiving usage data. A usage parameter distribution is generated, and a fleet usage model is generated according to the distribution. The fleet usage model expresses a score as a function of the usage parameter. Also, a score distribution is generated, and a reward model is generated according to the score distribution. The reward model expresses a maintenance reward as a function of the score. Additionally, the score for one of the vehicles is determined using the fleet usage model, and the maintenance reward is determined for the vehicle using the reward model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Manoj Kumar, Chris Hickenbottom, Jan Zirnstein
  • Patent number: 11703876
    Abstract: An autonomous driving system acquires information concerning a vehicle density in an adjacent lane that is adjacent to a lane on which an own vehicle is traveling, when the own vehicle travels on a road having a plurality of lanes. The autonomous driving system selects the adjacent lane as an own vehicle travel lane, when the vehicle density in the adjacent lane that is calculated from the acquired information is lower than a threshold density that is determined in accordance with relations between the own vehicle and surrounding vehicles. The autonomous driving system performs lane change to the adjacent lane autonomously, or propose lane change to the adjacent lane to a driver, when the adjacent lane is selected as the own vehicle travel lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuta Hashimoto, Yoshinori Watanabe, Kenichiro Aoki, Tomoyuki Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 11703480
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the structural integrity of a vehicle. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using transducers positioned at various location in and on a vehicle to measure parameters related vehicle structural health. In various implementations, the integrity of the vehicle frame and the integrity of the vehicle body are monitored using a multi-axis accelerometer and/or microphone. The use of transducers for monitoring can replace time-consuming and expensive manual inspections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brandon, Amanda Lind
  • Patent number: 11685261
    Abstract: Presented are high-voltage electrical systems, control logic, and electric-drive vehicles with optimized motor torque output. A method of operating an electric-drive vehicle includes a controller identifying the vehicle's operating mode and determining calibration settings corresponding to this operating mode. These calibration settings include low and high coolant temperature (CoolTemp) thresholds, and motor-calibrated torque limits as a function of CoolTemp. The controller determines if the present CoolTemp of the power inverter's coolant is greater than the low CoolTemp threshold and less than the high CoolTemp threshold. If so, the controller sets a motor torque limit of the vehicle's electric motor to a torque limit value selected from a fixed torque limit region within the torque limits data between the low and high CoolTemp thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
  • Patent number: 11682242
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system of a vehicle facilitates safe exigency ingress into a vehicle. The vehicle safety system may receive data associated with a condition of the vehicle (e.g., from sensors, components, remote signals, passenger input, etc.). Based at least in part on the data associated with the condition of the vehicle, the vehicle safety system may detect a triggering event associated with the ingress of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Based at least in part on the triggering event, the vehicle safety system may perform a vehicular safety measure associated with ingress to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Imran Ali, Ari Goldberg, Koun Han, Jacob Avi Harper, Andrew Allen Haskin, Marina Camille Josephs, Michael Moshe Kohen, Devon Langston, Justin Calvin Leung, Mark R. Rosekind, Christopher John Stoffel