Patents Examined by James E Stroud
  • System and method for mobile robot teleoperation
    Patent number: 9684305
    Abstract: Example implementations include a system and method for remotely controlling the motion of a robot. In example implementations, the user is presented with a display having video from a camera on the robot augmented with abstract sensor data, and facilitates the user to draw motion path commands directly on the camera view. Analysis of the scene for obstacles is performed, so that the drawing of commands is interactive, preventing the user from drawing impossible paths. The path sketch is then transformed into the coordinate system of the robot and used to generate commands that will move the robot to the desired location. Sensor data is also used to augment the camera view, in particular for highlighting dangers and obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sven Kratz, James L Vaughan
  • System and method for smart, rational and collaborative location tracking for trip planners
    Patent number: 9679475
    Abstract: Methods and systems for collaborative location tracking. Commuters can be organized into a group according to commuter client devices (e.g., smartphones, tablet computing devices, etc.) respectively associated with the commuters. The commuter client devices are tracked as a group rather than individually and based on power efficient context-aware location data derived from the commuter client devices and a generated trip plan in association with data indicative of real-time dynamics so that power usage of individual commuter client devices is rationally minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Narendra Annamaneni, Raja Subramaniam T, Narayanan Unny Edakunni, Mohammed Feroz Aashik Salim
  • System for controlling the doors of a powered split tailgate
    Patent number: 9676258
    Abstract: A power, split door system for a vehicle includes a first vehicle door and a second vehicle door arranged to be articulated between closed and open positions. A controller controls movement of the first and second doors between the open and closed positions. A collision zone is defined as a region of the door system in which the first vehicle door and the second vehicle door could potentially come into contact with one another. If both of the doors are within the collision zone during powered articulation of the doors, both are stopped within the collision zone and articulated in a reverse direction to the direction they were being articulated in and into either their fully open or fully closed positions in an appropriate manner that avoids collision of the doors or the doors may remain stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Warburton, Duncan Loveday, Steven Thomas
  • Sensor arrangement for controlling an auxiliary motor and a wheel hub unit with such a sensor arrangement
    Patent number: 9669896
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor arrangement. The signal from the sensor is used to control an auxiliary motor of a vehicle propelled by muscular strength. The auxiliary motor is there integrated into a wheel hub unit of the vehicle. The wheel hub unit comprises a stationary axle and a hub rotatably mounted to the axle. According to the invention, the assembly comprises the sensor and a freewheel of the drive train, which is propelled by muscular strength, mounted rotatable relative to the axle, where the sensor is arranged such that it detects a rotational motion of the freewheel relative to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: MAXON MOTOR AG
    Inventors: Chen Zhao, Franz-Xaver Folmli, Max Erick Busse-Grawitz, Mathis Trachsel
  • Vehicle and vehicle remote control system including the same
    Patent number: 9669783
    Abstract: A vehicle remote control system is capable of controlling an operation device that corresponds to an operation command when the operation command for an image transmitted from a user terminal is input in a remote terminal. The vehicle remote control system includes a user terminal for transmitting an image of an operation object of a vehicle to a remote terminal, the remote terminal displays an image transmitted from the user terminal and when an operation command for an operation device displayed on the image is input, the remote terminal transmits a control signal, which is to control an operation of the operation device corresponding to the input operation command, to the vehicle, and the vehicle controls a function of the operation device according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Un Kim, Kyunghyun Kang
  • V2X object-location verification system for automated vehicles
    Patent number: 9671785
    Abstract: An object-detection system suitable for use in an automated vehicle includes a transceiver, and object-detector, and a controller. The transceiver is suitable to install on a host-vehicle. The transceiver is used to receive an indicated-location of an object proximate to the host-vehicle. The object-detector is suitable to install on the host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect a relative-location of the object relative to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the transceiver and the object-detector. The controller determines a confirmed-location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on the indicated-location and the relative-location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurav Bhatia, Jong Ho Lee, Junsung Kim
  • Control system and control method for fail safety of MDPS
    Patent number: 9669841
    Abstract: Disclosed are a control system and a control method for fail safety of a motor driven power steering (MDPS). The system may include a straight motion/turning determination module for determining whether a vehicle is in a straight motion or turning based on a steering angle of a steering wheel, a steering torque of the steering wheel and a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a fail determination module for determining whether an MDPS fail occurs based on a steering torque of a driver and a motor torque of the MDPS if the vehicle is in the straight motion, a fail type determination module for determining a type of the MDPS fail using a yaw rate change rate if the MDPS fail occurs, and a yaw rate change rate detection module for inputting the yaw rate change rate to the fail type determination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yoon Kab Noh, Jong Ho Lee, Yang Soo Noh, Min Woo Han
  • System and method for updating ILS category and decision height
    Patent number: 9672749
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for updating an aircraft flight management system with approach and landing information received from a NOTAM transmission. The system and method receives an updated ILS category, updates the ILS category and updates the associated decision height/altitude. In addition, the system and method generates a notification of the NOTAM update and disregards user attempts to select an ILS category and/or decision height that is inconsistent with the NOTAM update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Subash Samuthirapandian, John G Suddreth, Troy Nichols
  • Rail vehicle event detection and recording system
    Patent number: 9663127
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting and recording rail vehicle events. The system comprises one or more cameras, one or more sensors, non-transient electronic storage, one or more physical computer processors, and/or other components. The one or more cameras may be configured to acquire visual information representing a rail vehicle environment. The one or more sensors may be configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle. The non-transient electronic storage may be configured to store electronic information. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured to detect rail vehicle events based on the output signals and facilitate electronic storage of the visual information and the operation information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in the non-transient electronic storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar, Mark Freitas, Daniel A. Deninger, Shahriar Ravari
  • Drive assist system and non-transitory computer-readable medium
    Patent number: 9650055
    Abstract: A drive assist system that includes circuitry that obtains information including at least one of acceleration/deceleration information and direction-of-travel information from a database that stores at least one of the acceleration/deceleration information provided in relation to each of a plurality of sections of a road and the direction-of-travel information provided in relation to each of the plurality of sections of the road; obtains current location information of a vehicle; and performs at least one of a acceleration/deceleration drive assist with regard to acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle based on the current location information and the acceleration/deceleration information, and a direction drive assist with regard to a direction of travel of the vehicle based on the current location information and the direction-of-travel information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: ZENRIN Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ohara, Takanori Masuoka, Nobusuke Matsuo
  • Management of drone operations and security in a pervasive computing environment
    Patent number: 9654476
    Abstract: A method to provide negotiation control to data such that a person or entity can negotiate the use of data gathered beyond what is needed for a particular use by a third party transaction. The method also provides negotiation for the control and operation of autonomous vehicles such as drones operating in non-public space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Lens Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Tara Lemmey, Stanislav Vonog
  • System and method for applying vehicle settings in a vehicle
    Patent number: 9643619
    Abstract: A method and system for applying vehicle settings to a vehicle. The method and system include receiving a device identification (ID) from at least one of: a first portable device and a second portable device. The method and system additionally include identifying a user settings profile that is associated to the device ID. The method and system also include determining if the user settings profile has been updated since a last ignition cycle of the vehicle. The method and system further include applying the user settings profile to control a vehicle system, wherein the user settings profile is retrieved from at least one of: a central user settings data repository, a telematics unit of the vehicle, and a head unit of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Justin E. Sinaguinan
  • Automatic operation vehicle control apparatus
    Patent number: 9643620
    Abstract: An automatic operation vehicle control apparatus includes a contact detecting unit, an override detecting unit, and an automatic operation control unit. The contact detecting unit detects the presence of contact of a hand or hands of a driver with a steering wheel of a vehicle. The override detecting unit detects the presence of override on the steering wheel by the driver on the basis of the result of the detection by the contact detecting unit. The automatic operation control unit switches the operation mode at least including the automatic operation and the manual operation of the vehicle on the basis of the result of the detection by the override detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Methods and apparatus for managing a premature descent envelope during descent of an aircraft
    Patent number: 9646506
    Abstract: A method for managing a premature descent envelope during descent of an aircraft is provided. The method receives glideslope deviation data by an instrument landing system (ILS) onboard the aircraft; compares, by the ILS, the glideslope deviation data to an acceptable band of glideslope deviation values; and when the glideslope deviation data is within the acceptable band, expands, by a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), the premature descent envelope to produce an increased premature descent envelope for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ishihara, C Don Bateman, Steve Johnson
  • Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 9643597
    Abstract: A power that is required to start an engine, a required power of a driver of a hybrid vehicle, a power that is consumed by auxiliaries and a power that is outputtable from an electrical storage device are obtained. A first correction value is obtained such that the first correction value becomes a smaller value as the obtained outputtable power increases, the first correction value becomes a larger value as the outputtable power reduces and the first correction value is a positive value or a negative value. A first threshold for an engine startup is obtained by subtracting the power that is required to start the engine and the power that is consumed by the auxiliaries and the first correction value from the power that is outputtable from the electrical storage device such that the first threshold becomes a larger value as the outputtable power increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takanori Aoki
  • Motor controller and method for operating a motor controller
    Patent number: 9637023
    Abstract: A motor controller including a control unit designed for receiving and/or processing a movement signal and for outputting a control signal depending on the movement signal, and including a power stage which is designed for enabling an electric energy flow as a function of the control signal, and further including a sensor designed for detecting a movement of the electric motor and for providing a movement-dependent sensor signal to a sensor input of the control unit, wherein the control unit is designed for detecting a usage-dependent load value for a movement system driven by the electric motor and wherein the control unit includes a component memory for storing parameters of components of the movement system, a processing device for combining the parameters with incoming sensor signals to produce a load value and a load value memory for storing the established load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dominic Kadynski, Jan Reimer, Martin Gulla
  • System for passing electrical signals through a living body
    Patent number: 9640064
    Abstract: A system for passing electrical signals through a living body has a transmitter on one side of a body for feeding thereto a predetermined electrical signal on at least two separate channels on respective different frequencies and a receiver on the other side of the body for receiving the signal on each of the channels. An evaluating unit connected to the receiver evaluates the received signals and selecting from them one signal for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: paragon AG
    Inventor: Ralf Moenkemoeller
  • Method and apparatus for adaptive drive control including fuel-economic mode engagement
    Patent number: 9630627
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive environmental context data upon which automatic engagement of a fuel economic driving mode (eco-mode) is conditioned. The processor is also configured to evaluate the context data to determine if the eco-mode should be automatically engaged based on a data correspondence to an engagement factor and engage the eco-mode upon correspondence of the data to an engagement factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Steven Joseph Szwabowski, Fling Tseng
  • Immobilizer system for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 9630497
    Abstract: An immobilizer system for a motor vehicle having an starter mechanism and a substance detector for detecting impairing drugs/substances in a driver's bode, the allowing the vehicle to be started/operated only when the substance detector delivers a result which is below a limit value. An electronic controller of the immobilizer system is programmed by the driver to pre-specify which restrictions the starter mechanism is subject to if the substance detector delivers a positive test result (above a limit level). The immobilizer may be programmed to either a) prevent operation of the vehicle, or b) allow operation but present a notification to the driver. The driver may set a future time interval during which a selection of option a) cannot be changed by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Guenter Quix, David Van Bebber, Monika Angst
  • Systems and methods for fuel level indicator functional diagnostics
    Patent number: 9618381
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system comprises receiving a first indication of inconsistency in a fuel level indicator output during a fuel consumption cycle, receiving a second indication of inconsistency in a fuel level indicator output during a refueling event, and indicating electrical degradation of the fuel level indicator responsive to the first and second indications of inconsistency indicating coincident ranges of inconsistency for the fuel level indicator output. By gauging the consistency of a fuel level indicator output during both upward and downward travel, electrical degradation may be distinguished from mechanical degradation. In this way, a range of inconsistency may be determined, and a reported fuel level adjusted while the fuel level indicator output is within the range of inconsistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar