Patents Examined by James E Stroud
  • Patent number: 10017189
    Abstract: In a driving support device, an image output unit outputs an image including a host vehicle object representing a host vehicle and a nearby vehicle object representing a nearby vehicle, to a display unit. The operation signal input unit receives an operation of a user for changing a distance between the host vehicle object and the nearby vehicle object in the image displayed on the display unit. The command output unit outputs a command for instructing one vehicle to travel following another vehicle when the distance between the host vehicle object and the nearby vehicle object is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, to an automatic driving control unit that controls automatic driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Yamada, Osamu Yamaji, Azusa Gojyo, Satoshi Kajita, Toshiaki Mori, Makoto Okada
  • Patent number: 10017205
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method that include a program execution monitoring dedicated circuit connected to a CPU of a control apparatus of an on-vehicle electronic equipment that includes an execution time monitoring timer circuit, an execution sequence monitoring comparison circuit, a setting register, an other attached circuit and so on, perform monitoring of an execution sequence of a task executed by a control program of the on-vehicle electronic equipment and/or an execution time from a head address to an end address of the task executed by the control program, and enable the control of the on-vehicle electronic equipment such as an electric power steering apparatus to be continued by performing an alternative processing in the case of detecting an abnormality in the execution sequence and/or the execution time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10012994
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating at least one partly or highly automated vehicle, environmental values that represent the environment of the at least one partly or highly automated vehicle being detected by way of at least one environmental detection system of the at least one partly or highly automatic vehicle; operation of the partly or highly automated vehicle occurring depending on the detected environmental values, and at least two possible trajectories for operation of the at least one partly or highly automated vehicle being determined, of the at least two possible trajectories, one trajectory that is to be used being selected depending on the detected environmental values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Rohde, Holger Mielenz
  • Patent number: 9996083
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for navigation correction assistance. The method provides a vehicle with a camera and an autonomous navigation system comprising a navigation buoy database and a navigation application. The navigation application visually acquires a first navigation buoy with an identity marker and accesses the navigation buoy database, which cross-references the first navigation buoy identity marker to a first spatial position. A first direction marker on the first navigation buoy is also visually acquired. In response to visually acquiring the first direction marker, a first angle is determined between the camera and the first spatial position. A first distance may also be determined between the vehicle and the first navigation buoy using visual methods or auxiliary position or distance measurement devices. Then, in response to the first spatial position, the first angle, and the first distance, the spatial position of the vehicle can be calculated using trigonometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: William Vojak
  • Patent number: 9994175
    Abstract: An environmental condition outside of a vehicle can be detected via a camera or sensor. A notification of the environmental condition can be sent to a remote device via a telematics system. A command can be received from the remote device in response to the notification via the telematics system, wherein the command is related to a vehicle system of the vehicle. The command can be communicated to the vehicle system to cause a preconditioning of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Maeshiro
  • Patent number: 9988794
    Abstract: A flow rate setting system of a working machine, includes: an attachment configured to be attached to the working machine; a control part configured to control a flow of hydraulic operation fluid based on a maximum flow rate of the hydraulic operation fluid being to be supplied to the attachment, the control part being mounted on the working machine; and a mobile terminal configured to communicate in wireless communication, the mobile terminal including: a first obtaining part configured to obtain identification information, the identification information being used for identifying the attachment; a second obtaining part configured to obtain the maximum flow rate of the attachment; and an output part configured to output the identification information and the maximum flow rate to the working machine in the wireless communication, the identification information being obtained by the first obtaining part, the maximum flow rate being obtained by the second obtaining part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Miura, Ryosuke Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 9977431
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Lockwood, Joseph F. Stanek
  • Patent number: 9956904
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, turn signals are automatically activated in response to signals received from a navigation system, based on the navigation instructions generated by the navigation system. The navigation system of a vehicle (either built into the vehicle or provided as a stand-alone unit) is communicatively coupled with or otherwise integrated with the turn signals of the vehicle. When the navigation system instructs the driver to perform a maneuver (such as making a turn), it can also cause the appropriate turn signal to be automatically activated at the appropriate time and/or distance in advance of the maneuver. When the navigation system detects that the maneuver has been made, or that the driver has ignored the system's instructions, the turn signal can be automatically deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sara Elyse Raubvogel
  • Patent number: 9939278
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system, and recording medium for connecting a public transportation route service and a map service. A map providing method includes providing a mode switching function at a first service that provides a public transportation map and a second service that provides a road map, and switching a service mode to the public transportation map or the road map through interconnection between the first service and the second service in response to executing the mode switching function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NAVER Corporation
    Inventors: Hyo Jung Kim, Soo-Eui Sung, Hyun-Soo Kim, HeeJeong Son, Rae Na
  • Patent number: 9925976
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle drive apparatus has a setting portion for setting a limit value of a driving torque that a motor outputs when driving a hybrid electric vehicle by the power of the motor only, based on a maximum torque that the motor enables to output and a starting torque used to start an internal combustion engine by the motor. The setting portion sets the limit value to a first value and sets the limit value to a second value which is greater than the first value when a vehicle speed of the vehicle does not increase even though an accelerator pedal position degree increases while the vehicle is being driven only by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideharu Takamiya, Akio Futatsudera, Mahito Shikama, Takashi Kon, Toshimi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9927319
    Abstract: A method which determines aircraft Center of Gravity independent of measuring the aircraft weight. The method is used in monitoring, measuring and computing the Center of Gravity of an aircraft utilizing pressurized, telescopic landing gear struts with axles. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts to monitor, measure and record aircraft landing gear strut loads by way of pressure. Axle deflection sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear axles to monitor, measure and record aircraft landing gear axle loads by way of deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: C. Kirk Nance
  • Patent number: 9927529
    Abstract: A programmable buoy system having one or more buoys capable of connecting through the internet to a buoy command server. The buoy command server relays commands to each of the one or more buoys in response to user commands sent from a buoys command interface application on a mobile device. The programmable buoy system includes one or more buoys each having a hull with two or more pontoons where the hull has a top side and bottom side. A stationary rudder extends downward from the bottom side of the hull to be positioned in a body of water when the one or more buoys are in use. A motor is pivotably connected on each one or more buoys, wherein the motor has a propeller positioned away from the bottom side of the hull. The propeller and motor move the select one of the one or more buoys in the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew P. Morin, Kevin J. Morin
  • Patent number: 9898009
    Abstract: An autonomous travel vehicle includes a platform, a traveler, a storage, an arrival position predictor, a corrected speed calculator, and a reproduction travel command calculator. The traveler controls the platform to travel in accordance with a travel control command. The storage stores travel route data, which stores subgoal points, arrival times, and traveling speeds in association with each other. In the reproduction travel mode, the arrival position predictor predicts a predicted arrival position. In the reproduction travel mode, the corrected speed calculator calculates a corrected traveling speed based on a predicted traveling distance and a required traveling distance. The reproduction travel command calculator calculates a reproduction travel control command based on the corrected traveling speed, as the travel control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Shitamoto
  • Patent number: 9884619
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically operate a vehicle in an electric mode when an actual speed of the vehicle is at or below a set threshold, and to automatically operate the vehicle in a hybrid mode when the actual speed is above the set threshold. The method further including adjusting the set threshold using a selector device such that the set threshold is changed without influencing the actual speed. Another exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically initiate a transition of a vehicle from an electric mode to a hybrid mode, or from the hybrid mode to the electric mode. The controller initiates the transition in response to a comparison of a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle to a threshold state of charge that is configured to be adjusted by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Bryan Michael Bolger, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Joseph Gerald Supina
  • Patent number: 9880561
    Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle and a sensor connected to the vehicle. The system may receive a predetermined path for the vehicle to follow. The system may also receive a plurality of objectives, associated with a corresponding set of sensor data, for which to collect sensor data. The system may determine, for each of the plurality of objectives, a portion of the environment for the sensor to scan to acquire the corresponding set of sensor data. The system may determine, based on the portion of the environment determined for each of the plurality of objectives, a sensor trajectory through which to move the sensor. The system may cause the sensor to move through the determined sensor trajectory and scan portions of the environment corresponding to the determined sensor trajectory as the vehicle moves along the predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Jared Russell
  • Patent number: 9875503
    Abstract: A housing contains a plurality of motorized transport units in a stacked relationship to one another, with a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units serving as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein. By one approach the aforementioned housing has a cylindrical form factor and includes a cylindrically-shaped chamber configured to receive the motorized transport units, By one approach, for example, this housing includes no lifting mechanism to lift any of the motorized transport units into itself and further has no integral locomotion mechanism by which the housing can move itself. The interior of the housing can include at least one track formed therein to receive a corresponding part of each of the plurality of motorized transport units which the motorized transport units can engage to thereby lift themselves into the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. High, Michael D. Atchley, David C. Winkle
  • Patent number: 9874872
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drone including performing operations on a processor configured to control location of the drone are described. The operations on the processor include receiving heart rate messages from a remote device carried by a user, where each heart rate message includes heart rate information of the user, and receiving location messages from the remote device carried by the user, where each location message includes location information of the user. The method includes predicting a future location of the user based on the heart rate messages and the location messages, generating a target location to which the drone is to be moved based on the future location of the user, and commanding the drone to move to the target location. Related devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Ola Thörn
  • Patent number: 9873420
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes calculating a desired deceleration limited regeneration torque request based on a requested deceleration input from a driver. If current dynamic operating conditions of the vehicle are in a performance region that permits an increase to the regeneration torque request, the desired deceleration limited regeneration torque request is increased based on a regeneration torque overhead, to define a modified axle regeneration torque request. Modified torque values are output based on the modified axle regeneration torque request. If the torque control values will cause an estimated yaw rate that is less than a target yaw rate, then the modified torque values are applied. Otherwise, the modified torque values are re-defined until the estimated yaw rate is not greater than the target yaw rate, and the re-defined values of the modified torque values are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Marsella L. White, Michael G. Petrucci
  • Patent number: 9849898
    Abstract: A method for managing a railway vehicle which comprises a motor (6) connected to a chassis (2), a first (3) and a second axle (4) functionally connected to the motor (6); a first transmission member (7) of hydrostatic type and a second transmission member (8) of hydrodynamic type (generally defined “gear”, which can be of hydrodynamic or mechanical type) for connecting the motor to the first and second axle; the method comprising the steps of selecting a configuration for managing the vehicle (1) and switching said vehicle between a first operative condition, in which the first transmission member (7) or the second transmission member (8) is active, and a second operative condition, in which both the first transmission member (7) and the second transmission member (8) are simultaneously active, at least as a function of the vehicle (1) management configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TESMEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Nitti
  • Patent number: 9836051
    Abstract: Automated drive assisting devices, methods, and programs acquire position specifying information for specifying a vehicle position during travel, and acquire a continuity degree that represents a degree to which automated drive can be continued on the basis of the position specifying information acquired during the automated drive. The devices, methods, and programs determine whether the automated drive can be continued on the basis of the acquired continuity degree, and determine vehicle control information for controlling a vehicle such that the continuity degree becomes higher on the basis of the acquired position specifying information in the case where it is determined that the automated drive cannot be continued. The devices, methods, and programs output the determined vehicle control information to a vehicle control device that controls the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Ishikawa, Yuji Sato, Masaki Nakamura, Takayuki Miyajima