Patents Examined by Jelani Smith
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Patent number: 9457782Abstract: A brake system and a method of control. An air gap between a brake friction member and a brake pad assembly may be indirectly estimated. The air gap may be adjusted when the estimated air gap exceeds a desired air gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Yixin Yao
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Patent number: 9452345Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Daniel Wood, Julian de la Rua
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Patent number: 9440723Abstract: In order to reduce the switching hysteresis in a dynamic positioning system and/or an autopilot system for watercraft, an arrangement is provided for determining a force acting on a rudder for watercraft. This arrangement includes a processing unit, at least one measuring device for determining values of a physical quantity of a rudder, and means for transmitting the determined values of the physical quantity to the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine the force acting on the rudder on the basis of the determined values of the physical quantity.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Becker Marine Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Dirk Lehmann
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Patent number: 9440638Abstract: A charge utilization control system for an electric vehicle includes a controller, an electric motor connected to the controller, a battery connected to the electric motor and an internal combustion engine connected to the controller. The controller is adapted to minimize electric charge stored in the battery as the electric vehicle approaches a charging destination for the battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lewis Booth, Dale Scott Crombez, Daniel A. Gabor
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Patent number: 9440602Abstract: A method for operating an in-vehicle charger and an in-vehicle charger mounted to a vehicle. The in-vehicle charger includes a charging coil for performing non-contact charging to a mobile device placed in the vehicle; and a control unit connected to the charging coil. The control unit instructs start or stop of supplying power to the charging coil in response to detecting a first signal indicating the engine is driven and a second signal indicating a state of a vehicle component of the vehicle other than the engine. The method includes a step of detecting the first signal; a step of detecting the second signal; and a step of instructing a start or stop of supplying power to the charging coil in response to detecting both of the first and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Izumi Iwanaga, Kenichi Koike, Taro Katayama
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Patent number: 9440635Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
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Patent number: 9441982Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a destination; generating a route to the destination; and generating a non-native dynamic navigation based on the route for displaying on a device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Telenav, Inc.Inventors: Shannph Wong, Raj Rao, Rudong Wang, Richard Jingwen Yang, Hongwei Feng
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Patent number: 9434331Abstract: An automotive electronic system and a power supply method thereof is related to the power supply method including outputting an interface signal to an automotive network, enabling a first switching regulator according to a first control signal from a control chip and/or the interface signal on the automotive network, supplying power to a network switch based on a first voltage by the first switching regulator when the first switching regulator is enabled, enabling a second switching regulator according to a second control signal from an electronic application module and/or the interface signal on the automotive network, and supplying power to the electronic application module based on the first voltage by the second switching regulator when the second switching regulator is enabled. The network switch and the electronic application module are connected to each other by the automotive network.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventors: Chun-Yu Chen, Tai-Yi Huang, Ta-Chin Tseng, Liang-Wei Huang
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Patent number: 9430947Abstract: Technology for determining a point-to-point separation between a first ship (e.g., guide ship) and a second ship (e.g., following ship) is disclosed. One approach can include maritime autonomous station keeping (MASK) interactive device comprising a communication module and a processor. The communication module can be configured to receive a following ship reference point (SRP) generated by at least one differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver on a following ship relative to a guide SRP generated by at least one DGPS receiver on a guide ship. The processor can be configured to generate a plurality of fixed following reference edge points (REPs) relative to the following SRP representing a following ship hull, generate a plurality of fixed guide REPs relative to the guide SRP representing a guide ship hull, and monitor a plurality of distances between the plurality of following REPs and the plurality of guide REPs.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James J. Richardson, Robert M. Fries, Robert C. Saunders
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Patent number: 9428124Abstract: A process of providing driver fuel economy feedback is disclosed in which vehicle sensors provide for haptic feedback on fuel usage. Such sensors may include one or more of a speed sensors, global position satellite units, vehicle pitch/roll angle sensors, suspension displacement sensors, longitudinal accelerometer sensors, throttle position in sensors, steering angle sensors, break pressure sensors, and lateral accelerometer sensors. Sensors used singlely or collectively can provide enhanced feedback as to various environmental conditions and operating conditions such that a more accurate assessment of fuel economy information can be provided to the driver.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: SAVANNAH NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLCInventor: John Thomas Bobbitt, III
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Patent number: 9429942Abstract: A device comprises a monitoring unit configured to automatically monitor the actuation of a manual control member suitable for controlling an aircraft on the ground, so as to be able to detect a releasing of the control member in a neutral position. A computation unit is configured to compute a virtual axis for guiding the aircraft on the ground, upon the detection of the releasing of the control member in the neutral position. A guiding unit is configured to automatically guide the aircraft along said virtual axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SASInventor: Pierre Scacchi
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Patent number: 9428041Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine control unit for controlling an engine, an engaging/disengaging control unit for engaging a clutch when the hybrid vehicle is shifted from a series drive mode to another drive mode in which at least the engine works as a drive source, a required output calculation unit for calculating a required output, and an engaging revolution speed calculation unit for calculating a revolution speed at a drive wheel side of the clutch. The engaging/disengaging control unit engages the clutch when the revolution speed of the engine coincides with the engaging revolution speed as a result of controlling the engine to follow the required output while the hybrid vehicle is running on the series drive mode at a predetermined vehicle speed or faster.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Yutaka Tamagawa
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Patent number: 9429235Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by at least one control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator controls movement of the second sheave.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Krosschell, Stephen L. Nelson, Brian R. Gillingham, Urs Wenger, Donovan L. Fredrickson, Karl J. Grajkowski, Philipp Meyer, Donald E. Frost, Beat R. Kohler, Ronald Zurbruegg, Peter J. Erasmus, Jeffrey I. Peterman
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Patent number: 9429429Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a route-planning device (200;302) comprising a storage section (230;308) storing map information, the map information including information identifying a plurality of potential positions, each potential position corresponding to a position at which a location of a predetermined type might potentially be found; and a search route module (490) arranged to determine a search route visiting at least one of the potential positions, the determination of the search route using a predetermined efficiency measure based on likelihood of finding a location of the predetermined type.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: TomTom International B.V.Inventors: Pieter Geelen, Jacob Eisenberg
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Patent number: 9428072Abstract: A method for extending the life cycle of a battery includes receiving a storage mode status signal at a battery controller and incrementally adjusting a state of charge window over a period of time in response to receiving the storage mode status signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaoguang Chang, Josephine S. Lee, Xu Wang, Chuan He
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Patent number: 9428172Abstract: An appropriate motor control in accordance with a pedal operation of a driver is to be achieved. A motor drive control device according to the present invention is a motor drive control device for an electric power-assisted vehicle that has one-way clutches respectively provided for a motor drive system and for a pedal drive system. The motor drive control device according to the present invention includes: a first calculating part that calculates a pedal rotation conversion speed that is converted from a pedal rotation; and a second calculating part that calculates a second target torque for a motor based on the pedal rotation conversion speed, during a period in which a first target torque derived from a pedal torque is not detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignees: MICROSPACE CORPORATION, TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato Tanaka, Kazuo Asanuma, Yasuo Hosaka, Kuniaki Kawagoe
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Patent number: 9428270Abstract: The method and system may be used to control the movement of a remote aerial device in an incremental step manner during a close inspection of an object or other subject matter. At the inspection location, a control module “stabilizes” the remote aerial device in a maintained, consistent hover while maintaining a close distance to the desired object. The control module may retrieve proximal sensor data that indicates possible nearby obstructions to the remote aerial device and may transmit the data to a remote control client. The remote control module may determine and display the possible one or more non-obstructed directions that the remote aerial device is capable of moving by an incremental distance. In response to receiving a selection of one of the directions, the remote control module may transmit the selection to the remote aerial device to indicate the next movement for the remote aerial device.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, James M. Freeman, Brian N. Harvey
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Patent number: 9429425Abstract: In one embodiment, an aerial collection system includes an image collection field vehicle that travels at street level and an image collection aerial vehicle that travels in the air above the street. The aerial vehicle collects image data including at least a portion of the field vehicle. The field vehicle includes a marker, which is identified from the collected image data. The marker is analyzed to determine an operating characteristic of the aerial vehicle. In one example, the operating characteristic in the marker includes information for a flight instruction for the aerial vehicle. In another example, the operating characteristic in the marker includes information for the three dimensional relationship between the vehicles. The three dimensional relationship is used to combine images collected from the air and images collected from the street level.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: HERE Global B.V.Inventor: Marco Tillmann
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Patent number: 9423796Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transporting items in a storage and retrieval system is provided. The autonomous transport vehicle includes at least two drive wheels and a controller, where each drive wheel is independently driven and a drive wheel encoder is disposed adjacent each drive wheel. The controller, in communication with the drive wheel encoders, is configured to determine a kinematic state of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage and retrieval system based on incremental data from the drive wheel encoders only and independent of drive wheel slippage.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Symbotic LLCInventors: Robert Sullivan, Stephen C. Toebes, Forrest Buzan, Andrew Eccles
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Patent number: 9423269Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a global positioning system (GPS) capability, a digital processor, digital memory, a display screen, and a software (SW) application executing by the processor, the SW providing determining and recording a start of a trip, tracking location of the vehicle after trip start, interpreting data and recording an acceleration event, a deceleration event or a speeding event, recording fuel volume during the trip, determining and recording an end of the trip; and an interactive display including an address at the start and the end of the trip, separated by a timeline for the trip, a vehicle icon moveable along the timeline, icons specific to event type at locations along the timeline representing the acceleration, deceleration and speeding events determined during the trip, and a summary box providing a distance and duration of the trip and fuel efficiency and fuel cost for the trip.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Automatic Labs, Inc.Inventors: Ljubinko Miljkovic, Ramprabhu Jayaraman, Gabriel Valdivia