Patents Examined by Mary Cheung
  • Patent number: 9272662
    Abstract: An intelligent system for a bicycle is provided with a control assembly including a saddle control device, a sensor device, a digital camera, a lighting device, a warning device, and a power supply for supplying DC power to above components; and a display assembly including an LCD screen, a processing module, a communications module, and a power module for electrically interconnecting the LCD screen, the processing module, and the communications module. The saddle control device includes a microprocessor, a memory, and a wireless communications module. The sensor device includes an optical sensor, a thermometer, an acceleration sensor, a barometer, a gyroscope, an electronic compass, a radar, and a GPS. The digital camera includes a rear camera. The lighting device includes an auxiliary light, a rear light, directional lights, and decoration lights. The warning device includes a loudspeaker and a vibration module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Meizhou XiuYing Enterprise Company Limited
    Inventor: Tau-Jeng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9275416
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of automatic Financial-Instrument (FI) management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SUPER DERIVATIVES, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel Somech, Menachem Ahikam Oron, David Gershon
  • Patent number: 9266531
    Abstract: A control apparatus and method for operating a road-bound hybrid vehicle are provided. The vehicles includes a control apparatus for controlling the drive torque of a first drive unit which is associated with a first axle and of the drive torque of a second drive unit which is associated with a second axle. One drive unit has at least one electric motor and the other drive unit has at least one internal combustion engine, wherein a load point increase, by which an energy store for operating the electric motor is charged, is limited by the internal combustion engine and the control unit. The limiting is performed by: in a first step, determining a maximum permissible upper limit for the load increase torque under optimum traction conditions depending on the steering angle and on the vehicle speed. In a second step, performing, as required, a torque-reducing adaptation of the previously determined upper limit to match traction-impairing environmental influences which may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Wimmer, Jan Felten
  • Patent number: 9267798
    Abstract: Generating elevation data for maps is disclosed, including: selecting a barometric data candidate user activity from a plurality of user activities that matches an edge; normalizing a recorded elevation corresponding to each of at least a subset of a plurality of data points associated with the selected barometric data candidate user activity based at least in part on obtained elevation data associated with the edge; storing the normalized recorded elevation corresponding to each of the at least subset of the plurality of data points associated with the barometric data candidate user activity as a set of elevation data associated with the edge in a user preference map; and using the set of elevation data associated with the edge in the user preference map to determine a suggested route based at least in part on a user input route preference associated with a desired route elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Strava, Inc.
    Inventor: Davis Kitchel
  • Patent number: 9259838
    Abstract: Example systems and methods for estimating a ground plane are provided. An example method may include determining an orientation of a body of a robotic device with respect to a gravity aligned reference frame. The method may also include determining the location of one or more contact points between the robotic device and a ground surface. The method may also include determining a ground plane estimation of the ground surface based on the determined orientation of the robotic device with respect to the gravity aligned reference frame and the determined locations of the one or more contact points. The method may also include determining a distance between the body of the robotic device and the determined ground plane estimation. The method may also include providing instructions to adjust a position and/or orientation of the robotic device based on the determined distance and the determined ground plane estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Blankespoor, Gabriel Nelson, Neil Neville
  • Patent number: 9260188
    Abstract: In one embodiment, multi-mode use of an aircraft cockpit is realized a processor in the aircraft determining whether the aircraft is operating in a flight mode or a non-flight mode. When operating in the non-flight mode, the processor deactivates aircraft engines and permits wireless device access to one or more aircraft systems. When operating in the flight mode, the processor enables aircraft engines and prevents wireless device access to one or more aircraft systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Edward Wischmeyer
  • Patent number: 9260102
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9260089
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a deceleration arrangement (10) of a motor vehicle with at least one regenerative braking device (12) which is designed to decelerate the motor vehicle by means of a variable braking torque and to generate electrical energy corresponding to the braking torque. A return speed of an operating element for driving the motor vehicle, in particular an accelerator pedal (22), is detected (S2). A predefined braking torque is exerted (S5) by the regenerative braking device (12) if the return speed and/or a variable correlating thereto exceed(s) or fall(s) below a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schuler, Fanny Kobiela, Rupert Stuetzle
  • Patent number: 9254823
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for releasing a vehicle brake. A computing system receives an indication that a user has provided input to cause a momentary release in a vehicle braking system. The computing system provides a signal so as to cause the momentary release in the vehicle braking system. A length of the momentary release in the vehicle braking system is independent of a length of time that the user provided the input to cause the momentarily release in the braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Davis Intellectual Properties LLC
    Inventor: Shannon R. Davis
  • Patent number: 9257049
    Abstract: An avionics system includes a human-machine interface (HMI), wherein the HMI includes a display device that displays information to an operator and an input device that receives input from an operator; a storage device that stores master air traffic control (ATC) center data; a memory device that stores separately loaded ATC center data and hard-coded ATC center data, and a processing device communicatively coupled to the HMI, the storage device and the memory device. The processing device compares the separately loaded ATC center data with the hard-coded ATC center data; requests operator validation of changes between the separately loaded ATC center data and the hard-coded ATC center data using the HMI; and updates the master ATC center data when the operator validates the changes between the separately loaded ATC center data and the hard-coded ATC center data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Deon Axtell, Thomas D. Judd, Ronald Alan Diamant, Scott Madaras
  • Patent number: 9255803
    Abstract: Embodiments of a metrology device and a computer-implemented method generate survey data without touching the subsea objects being surveyed. The metrology device can include an inertial navigation system (INS) outputting position and orientation data of the metrology device; an aiding device positioned at a known distance and orientation with respect to the INS for collecting image data of the subsea objects; and a computer having one or more computer programs that use the image data to calculate measured velocity of the metrology device at first and second subsea objects to perform virtual zero velocity updates, and uses an apparent difference in the position of the first subsea object measured prior and subsequent to measuring the second subsea object to perform virtual position update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: IPOZ SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Ziwen Wayne Liu, Charles William Tink
  • Patent number: 9255807
    Abstract: An apparatus or web server for assisting a user in selecting a route based on tracked popularity of routes traveled by other users and a desired user activity. The apparatus may include a memory for receiving and storing route data for routes previously traveled by a plurality of users and a processing device coupled with the memory for receiving desired route characteristic information from the user, including a desired activity type, such as running or cycling. The processing device may compare the desired route characteristics information with the route data, suggest at least one of the stored routes to the user based on the comparison, and visually indicate with a color-coded heat map a popularity of the routes suggested based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Wai C. Lee, Claudette D. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9250099
    Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented method of producing a description of aircraft intent expressed using a formal language. The description may be used to predict aircraft trajectory, for example by air traffic management. Rules are used in association with information provided to generate a set of instructions describing both the aerodynamic configuration of the aircraft and the motion of the aircraft. These instructions are checked to ensure that they describe unambiguously the aircraft's trajectory. The instructions are then expressed using a formal language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Francisco A. Navarro Felix, Miguel A. Vilaplana Ruiz, Carlos Querejeta, Eduardo Gallo, Javier Lopez Leones
  • Patent number: 9250086
    Abstract: A method and system for determining an alignment error between sensors mounted to a machine is disclosed. The method may include calculating a first orientation value based on a signal received from a first sensor. The method may further include calculating a second orientation value based on a signal received from a second sensor. The method may further include calculating an alignment error between the first sensor and the second sensor based on a difference between the first orientation value and the second orientation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Russell Friend, Frank Arthur Willis, Troy Kenneth Becicka
  • Patent number: 9248920
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein includes, inter alia, a method and system which enables to determine the steering-angle between the longitudinal axis of a tractor and the longitudinal axis of an aircraft which is being led by the tractor (referred to herein as “steering-angle” in short). While an aircraft is being led, the steering-angle can be repeatedly calculated and compared to a threshold value defining a mechanical steering limit. In case the comparison complies with one or more predefined conditions (e.g. the steering-angle is equal or smaller the threshold value) a warning can be generated indicating to an operator that the steering-angle has reached (or is about to reach) its limit and should be adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Avitzur Oren
  • Patent number: 9248788
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus for operating a vehicle, when the vehicle is running, and an application is instructed through voice. An in-running operation acceptance/denial list is produced, i.e., a list of words meaning an operation to be inhibited from being executed during the time when the vehicle is running. A command acceptance/denial executing portion of the onboard apparatus determines if the command corresponding to the content, which a user speaks, can be operated or not, during the time when the vehicle is running, by referring this list and a title of the command operable through voices included in the application, and when the vehicle is running, an execution of that command is instructed to an application controller portion, if being determined operable, by referring to a running condition of the vehicle, and if being determined inoperable, the execution of that command is not instructed to the application controller portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Sekiguchi, Naoki Mori, Atsushi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9243439
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a moveable closure panel and a system for activating movement of the closure panel. The system is configured to receive a voice command to move the closure panel, identify the location of an object in an area surrounding the vehicle, and if the object is within a predetermined zone of the area for permitting movement of the closure panel in accordance with the voice command, generate an instruction to move the closure panel in accordance with the voice command. The vehicle further includes at least one actuator responsive to the instruction to move the closure panel in accordance with the voice command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Adams, John Maranzano
  • Patent number: 9242630
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine rotatably coupled to a non-combustion torque machine and a torque converter which is rotatably coupled to an input member of a transmission. A method for operating the powertrain system includes operating the torque converter in a controlled slip operating state and controlling a torque converter clutch capacity in response to a driver requested braking torque. Target torque outputs from the engine and from the torque machine are determined in response to the driver requested braking torque subjected to a time delay. A torque modifier for the torque machine is determined in response to a torque converter clutch slip error. Torque output from the engine is controlled in response to the target torque output from the engine, and torque output from the torque machine is controlled in response to the target torque output and the torque modifier from the torque machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John S. Mitchell, Jeremy V. Horgan, Christopher E. Whitney, Scott A. Hearld
  • Patent number: 9242723
    Abstract: A method of dynamically alleviating loads generated on an aircraft by a disturbance of gust and/or turbulence. The method comprises monitoring, during flight of the aircraft, to automatically detect a disturbance due to gust and/or turbulence and determining an incidence angle or angle of attack of the disturbance. When a disturbance due to gust and/or turbulence is detected, automatically generating control commands for deflecting control surfaces dependent on the incidence angle or angle of attack, and applying the control commands to deflect the control surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Wildschek
  • Patent number: 9242589
    Abstract: A body hoisting state display device to be mounted on a dump truck includes: an angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the body with respect to the frame; a seating detection unit that detects whether or not the body is seated on the frame; a calculation unit that causes an inclination angle of the body at which the body is rotated with respect to the frame from a seated state of the body to be calculated, based on the rotation angle detected by the angle detection unit, as a ratio to an angle of a rotatable range that is defined between the seated state and a state in which the hydraulic cylinder is stopped at the position short of the position at which the hydraulic cylinder is extended to the maximal extent; and a display control unit that causes the ratio of the inclination angle of the body that is calculated by the calculation unit to be displayed on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yudai Itai, Toshikazu Minoshima, Takashi Yagyu, Takanobu Ikari, Takao Kurosawa