Patents Examined by Majdi Alsomiri
  • Patent number: 9383209
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the relative attitude between an inertial measurement unit (IMU), present on a mobile device, and the frame of reference of the vehicle carrying mobile device is estimated. The estimated relative attitude is used to translate the IMU measurement to the vehicle frame of reference to determine the velocity and position of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle position and velocity are determined accurately in the event of undocking and re-docking of the mobile device from a docking system in the vehicle. The relative attitude is estimated in terms of pitch, roll, and yaw angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sachin Bhardwaj, Sriram Murali, Jaiganesh Balakrishnan, Jayawardan Janardhanan, Yogesh Shekar, Goutam Dutta
  • Patent number: 9366541
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for sequencing a meter route. The method may include a step for adding routes or premises to a map. This step may be implemented as a user initiated action with the operator creating a new route based on preexisting routes as a starting point. The premises or existing routes may correspond to a particular zip code. In one embodiment, every premise may be tied to a route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
    Inventors: Adrian Jesus Rego, Juan Morales, Mark Mason, Alma R. Emerson, Amit Grover
  • Patent number: 9354078
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying visually distinguishing characteristics if an aircraft is below a minimum altitude or beyond a maximum distance when executing a procedure turn. A procedure turn icon, an aircraft icon indicating the aircraft's present location, terrain/obstacles, and the visually distinguishing characteristics are displayed on a moving map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Dave Pepitone, Blake Wilson
  • Patent number: 9354065
    Abstract: A system or a method is provided to provide shopping detours to users during traffic congestions. In particular, the system may detect that a user is experiencing or is about to experience a traffic congestion. The system may then estimate the additional travel time needed to go through the traffic congestion. The system may also find shopping detours which allow the user to take the shopping detours to make purchases and still arrive at the final destination at about the same time as if the user stays in the original route with the traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Karin Andrea Ikavalko, Jeffrey Joseph Thomas, Michael Joseph Alves, Michelle Pujals
  • Patent number: 9334057
    Abstract: Provide is an anti-icing system that can cause anti-icing devices to properly operate even if a breakdown occurs in a switch after a pilot sets the switch. An anti-icing system of the present invention that controls operations of anti-icing devices provided in an aircraft includes: operation mode selecting means that selects an operation mode of the anti-icing devices; and control means that controls the operations of the anti-icing devices according to the operation mode selected by the operation mode selecting means. The operation mode includes at least a manual mode, an automatic mode, and a stop mode, and the control means controls the operations of the anti-icing devices in the automatic mode if detecting that a breakdown occurs in the operation mode selecting means when the manual mode or the stop mode is selected by the operation mode selecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nagashima, Noriyuki Enguchi, Shinichiro Asami
  • Patent number: 9333844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a drive device (1) of a vehicle, in particular, a motor vehicle, said device having at least one electric or hydraulic machine (2) as a drive unit. Said method consists of the following steps: determining a target drive direction (ZR) that can be set by the driver of the vehicle, detecting a current direction of travel of the vehicle and comparing the current drive direction with the target drive direction (ZR) that has been set, detecting the direction of action of a current drive force and comparing the direction of action with the target drive direction (ZR), if the current direction of travel deviates from the target drive direction (ZR), detecting/determining unauthorised driving of the vehicle, if the direction of action deviates from the target drive direction (ZR). The invention also relates to a device and a system, in particular, for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Mecks, Jens-Werner Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 9323249
    Abstract: A method for accurately tracking and controlling robots includes capturing a first image of a first matrix code labeled on a first mobile robot at a first time by one or more stationery cameras, wherein the first matrix code is encoded with an identification that uniquely identifies the first mobile robot, correcting a tilt of the first image to produce a first corrected image that shows the first matrix code in a substantially rectangular or square shape, extracting the identification to uniquely identify the first mobile robot, calculating a first position of the first mobile robot based on the first corrected image by a computer system, and controlling a movement of the first mobile robot based at least in part on the identification and the first position of the first mobile robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology
    Inventors: Mohammad S. Khorsheed, Hussein K. Al-Omari, Meteb M. Altaf, Abdulrahman Alnajdi, Saad Bajad Alotaibi, Mazin Altokhais, Zeyad Abdulaziz Alhusainan, Fawaz Almakmesh, Amjad Alsadoon
  • Patent number: 9315153
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door having a window and a mirror assembly. The mirror assembly includes a housing defining a cavity having an opening. A mirror is mounted with respect to the housing, disposed within the cavity, and has a reflective surface that is visible through the opening. The housing is mounted with respect to the door such that the housing is selectively movable between an extended position, in which the opening of the cavity is unobstructed, and a retracted position, in which the opening of the cavity is obstructed by the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Charles H. Heard
  • Patent number: 9308800
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method of an air conditioner system for a vehicle. The air conditioner system is integrated with a cooling system and includes a water-cooled condenser embedded in an intercooler radiator and an air-cooled condenser placed in front of the intercooler radiator. The control method may include (A) circulating the refrigerant in the air conditioner system through actuation of a compressor by sensing actuation of an air conditioner while driving the vehicle in a state in which the start of the vehicle is on, (B) actuating a water pump circulating the cooling water and a cooling fan blowing wind to a cooling module, and (C) controlling the actuation of the compressor by judging whether the vehicle is in a failure mode in a state where the air conditioner is actuated or normally driving the compressor and the cooling fan and ending the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Dong Won Park
  • Patent number: 9308653
    Abstract: An industrial robot with a robotic arm and a data recording module connected to the robotic arm is described. The data recording module is designed for a wireless communication and has a self-sufficient power supply with a converter unit by which mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, the energy from the movement of the robotic arm being used therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Rene Graf
  • Patent number: 9292257
    Abstract: Example systems and methods for estimating range for a vehicle are provided. In an example, a server remotely located from a vehicle receives vehicle status information from the vehicle as well as reference data from sources other than the vehicle. An estimated range for the vehicle is computed based on both the vehicle status information and the reference data, and then this estimated range is transmitted to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Aaron Williams, Mary Long, Henrik Paesler, Binh Tran, Jens Lehmann, Kim Srea Phorn, Natalia Shmoilova, Geoff Ryder, Vivek Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 9283954
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a system for idle reduction in a hybrid vehicle. The system includes a control system for causing the vehicle to operate in a charge depletion mode, or a charge accumulation mode in response to job site data; the job site data can include an estimate of the amount of energy required at the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Odyne Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Dalum
  • Patent number: 9284071
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the deorbiting of satellites in low orbit that have entered safe hold mode. A device makes it possible to decide in an autonomous manner and on the basis of information existing in the satellite, when and where to trigger a series of short thruster manoeuvres to modify the satellite orbit with the aim of deorbiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Damien Forestier, Laurent Houis, Sebastien Herbiniere
  • Patent number: 9273970
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a plurality of trip patterns are provided. One exemplary method includes receiving transit graph data describing a plurality of nodes respectively corresponding to a plurality of transit stations and a plurality of arcs respectively connecting the plurality of nodes. The method also includes performing a plurality of identification iterations. Each identification iteration includes determining an optimal transit trip connecting an origin node to a destination node based on a cost model. Each identification iteration also includes revising the cost model based on the determined optimal transit trip, such that the arc costs associated with one or more arcs associated with the optimal transit trip are increased. Each optimal transit trip can have an associated trip pattern describing a sequence of nodes traversed by such optimal transit trip. One exemplary system can include a transit planning platform that includes a trip pattern identification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Graells, Lucien Pech
  • Patent number: 9260087
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake system and a regenerative brake system and a method of controlling the same is provided. The brake system may include a brake pedal having a range of motion and configured to control the application of the hydraulic brake system based upon a position of the brake pedal within the range of motion. The brake system may further include a brake controller configured to determine an inflection position of the brake pedal, the inflection position being a position of the brake pedal within the range of motion when the hydraulic brake system begins to apply a brake pressure over a predetermined threshold, wherein the brake controller applies the regenerative brake system based upon inflection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William L. Aldrich, III, Andrew M. Zettel, Ammar A. Atmeh
  • Patent number: 9239243
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation system having a database configured to store map data. The database includes links corresponding to road segments and attributes associated with the links. The map data includes at least some links associated with a curvature attribute. A mean absolute curvature ( ?) is stored for the curvature attribute for corresponding links. The mean absolute curvature ( ?) may be determined from a normalized sum or integral of absolute curvature values along the road segment corresponding to the link. The system includes a processing unit configured to estimate an energy consumption of the vehicle for a link using the curvature attribute retrieved from the database for the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Engelhardt, Sebastian Kluge
  • Patent number: 9234759
    Abstract: Road information data is enriched and a vehicle drive train is controlled on basis of this data. Based on vehicle position, data about possible routes which may be taken is collected from at least three sources (A, B, C). Data with the highest quality is chosen for controlling the drive train. When running, information about the traveled route is recorded and saved, thus providing a continuous update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Johan Bjernetun, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9206583
    Abstract: A void protection system for a mining shovel having an operator input device includes an independent metering valve assembly including one or more fluid source-cylinder valves for fluidly connecting the fluid source to the hydraulic cylinder. The system also includes a sensor assembly for monitoring the fluid pressure within the rod end and the head end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a control module. The control module is configured to monitor movement of the operator input device, monitor pressure within the hydraulic cylinder, increase the opening of the corresponding fluid source-cylinder valve and increase fluid flow from the fluid source to fill corresponding end of the hydraulic cylinder until pressure in the corresponding end of the hydraulic cylinder is above a first threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beschorner, Bryan A. Johnson, Brett J. Janson, Brandon Z. Barnes, Rustu Cesur
  • Patent number: 9202377
    Abstract: An object determination apparatus includes: a sensing device that is mounted in a host vehicle, and that sends detection wave and receives the detection wave reflected from an object, and that detects the object; a detection unit that detects the state of reflection intensity of the detection wave received by the sensing device which changes with the distance to the object; and a determination unit that determines that the object is a vehicle other than the host vehicle when a peak of the reflection intensity exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Peaks of the reflection intensity change in accordance the distance to the object, but the peaks regarding vehicles tend to be higher than the peaks regarding on-road structures. Hence, by comparing a peak of the reflection intensity with the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined whether the detected object is a vehicle other than the host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Ichida
  • Patent number: 9193352
    Abstract: An engine shaft of an engine, rotatable shafts of motor generators and a drive force output shaft are interconnected with each other through a drive force transmission arrangement. An ECU computes a torque command value of each of the motor generators through use of an equation of torque equilibrium, which corresponds to the drive force transmission arrangement, based on an engine shaft demand motor generator torque and an output shaft demand motor generator torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Youhei Morimoto