Patents Examined by Michael A Berns
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Patent number: 12292734Abstract: A wireless communication terminal device for operating a work vehicle that autonomously travels includes: a device main body 70 having a display 74 that is capable of accepting a touch panel operation; and an emergency-stop remote controller 71 having an emergency stop button 72 that is used to stop autonomous travel of the work vehicle. The device main body 70 and the emergency-stop remote controller 71 perform wireless communication with the work vehicle via different wireless communication networks having different communication schemes, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhisa Yokoyama
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Patent number: 12293612Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a machine that is operable to perform a task. The method includes accessing a smart digital twin (SDT) of an instance of the machine, the SDT including discrete modules for storage of data and logic including models of the machine, requirements of the machine, and maintenance actions for the machine. The method includes performing data analytics on values of operating conditions of the machine to determine a state of the machine, using a model from the models of the machine and the logic. The state of the machine is compared to the requirements, and a maintenance action is identified based on the comparison and to cause a change in the state to maintain the requirements. The data of the SDT is updated to include identification of the maintenance action, and an indication of the maintenance action is output for performance on the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John J. Dong, Naveed M. Hussain
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Patent number: 12286095Abstract: A hybrid system which can calculate various type of more proper required torques is provided while input factors which can be used for calculating the various types of required torques are limited. A hybrid system 2 includes a rotation sensor 31 which detects a rotation number of an engine 3, at least either one of an accelerator opening-degree sensor 61 which detects an accelerator opening degree and a rotation-number instruction unit 62 which transmits a rotation-number signal instructing a certain rotation number to the engine 3, and a control unit 5 which controls an operation of the engine 3.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuaki Koyama, Ryota Kimura, Koichi Funaki, Yasuo Fujii, Tamotsu Kuno
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Patent number: 12287209Abstract: A system for moving an object within an environment, wherein the system includes at least one modular wheel configured to move the object. The modular wheel includes a body configured to be attached to the object, a wheel, a drive configured to rotate the wheel and a controller configured to control the drive. One or more processing devices configured are provided to receive an image stream including a plurality of captured images from each of a plurality of imaging devices, the plurality of imaging devices being configured to capture images of the object within the environment, analyse the images to determine an object location within the environment, generate control instructions at least in part using the determined object location and provide the control instructions to the controller, the controller being responsive to the control instructions to control the drive and thereby move the object.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATIONInventors: Paul Flick, Nicholas Panitz, Peter Dean, Marc Elmouttie, Sisi Liang, Ryan Steindl, Troy Cordie, Tirthankar Bandyopadhyay
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Patent number: 12280646Abstract: To provide a vehicle drive device capable of efficiently driving a vehicle by using in-wheel motors without falling into the vicious cycle between enhancement of driving via the motors and an increase in vehicle weight. The present invention is a vehicle drive device that uses in-wheel motors to drive a vehicle and includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects the travel speed of a vehicle, in-wheel motors that are provided in wheels of the vehicle and drive the wheels, and a controller that controls the in-wheel motors, in which the controller controls the in-wheel motors so as to generate driving forces when the travel speed of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or more than a predetermined first vehicle speed that is more than zero.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Isao Toda, Seiyo Hirano, Kei Yonemori, Hideki Sanai
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Patent number: 12280696Abstract: An ISS is a seating system that actively adjusts to improve an occupant's comfort, performance, and safety in a specific driving environment. The ISS determines the occupant's posture, position on the seat surface, and/or physiological state, for example, by applying a machine vision process. The ISS can further determine a driving environment. The ISS adjusts its settings and settings of the vehicle according to one or more factors such as an occupant's posture, the occupant's physiological state, the occupant's preferences, and/or the driving environment. The ISS can include a state machine that determines a current state and determines if a change has occurred such that the system should shift to another state that best suits this change. The ISS makes adjustment according to system settings associated with the best suitable state.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2023Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: XSENSOR Technology CorporationInventors: Ian Main, Melissa Elizabeth Remus Jones
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Patent number: 12276981Abstract: A method includes: detecting a transporter allocation trigger associated with a mobile computing device disposed in a facility; in response to detecting the transporter allocation trigger, selecting a transporter identifier of an autonomous transporter disposed in the facility; selecting a joint notification parameter; causing the mobile computing device to generate a notification according to the joint notification parameter; and transmitting the joint notification parameter to the autonomous transporter, to cause the autonomous transporter to generate a visual notification corresponding to the notification.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Mark Thomas Fountain, Brian Califano
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Patent number: 12270650Abstract: Various products that are used to align objects and features in an area are shown. In one example, a laser target provides optical communication between a target area of the laser target and a non-target area that is offset from the target area. Some light emitted towards the target area will be redirected to emit from the non-target area, and some light emitted towards the non-target area will be redirected to emit from the target area. In another example, a laser target includes reflective portions and non-reflective portions that facilitate aiming a laser target towards a center of the laser target.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2024Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Samuel J. Howard, Michael Dan Huh
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Patent number: 12267928Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an in-vehicle lighting environment includes: a passenger state determination unit that determines a state of a passenger using a gaze of the passenger photographed by a camera of a vehicle; a driving state determination unit that determines a driving state of the vehicle using an acceleration value measured by an acceleration sensor of the vehicle; an external environment state determination unit that determines an external environment state of the vehicle using an external illuminance value measured by an external illuminance sensor of the vehicle; and a lighting environment control unit that controls an illuminance and a color of a first light disposed inside the vehicle based on data determined by at least one determination unit among the passenger state, driving state, and external environment state determination units.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Hae Seong Jeong, Jung Seok Suh
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Patent number: 12259476Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of water along a surface and adjusting a speed of a vehicle are provided. The method comprises generating one or more data points from one or more sensors coupled to a vehicle, and, using a processor, determining, based on the one or more data points, whether water is present along a surface, when water is present along the surface, determining a speed adjustment of the vehicle based on the water present along the surface, and generating a control signal configured to cause the vehicle to adjust a speed of the vehicle according to the speed adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Kodiak Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Suzanne L. Woll, Laura W. Shane
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Patent number: 12261562Abstract: An integrated apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling a fluid pump and a valve connected to a coolant loop. The fluid pump for circulating fluid through the coolant loop and the valve positionable between a first and a second position. A controller generates control signals that are transmitted to the fluid pump and to the valve for regulating the speed of the fluid pump and the flow of the fluid circulating through the coolant loop and to position the valve into either the first or the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.Inventor: David S. Malone
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Patent number: 12258729Abstract: A system and method for controlling a motor of an electric drivetrain having a multi-speed transmission with at least a first clutch and a second clutch. The system and method includes initiating a transmission shift requiring engagement of the first clutch, applying synchronizing torque commands to the motor based on an engagement parameter of the first clutch until the shift is complete, and applying non-shifting torque commands to the motor after the shift is complete.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Barngrover, Brian E. Lister, Michael D. Beyer
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Patent number: 12258065Abstract: A vehicular trailer guidance system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and a rear backup camera disposed at a vehicle. A human machine interface (HMI) is operable in (i) a trailer left-backup mode, (i) a trailer straight-backup mode and (iii) a trailer right-backup mode. Responsive to selection by the driver of the trailer left-backup mode or trailer right-backup mode, the ECU sets a desired trailer angle of the trailer tongue leftward or rightward to an angle that is commensurate with a driver-selected setting of an input device. Responsive to selection by the driver of the trailer straight-backup mode, the ECU sets the desired trailer angle to a zero degree angle. The ECU, while the vehicle is backing up the trailer, controls the power steering system of the vehicle to steer the vehicle to back up the trailer to have the determined trailer angle coincide with the set desired trailer angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Jyothi P. Gali, Richard C. Bozich, Alexander Velichko
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Patent number: 12253361Abstract: Systems and methods include tracking a current location of an unmanned device on a local map, receiving image data from an imaging sensor associated with the unmanned device, detecting a first remote device and outputting associated first detected object information, determining a first location of the detected first remote device on the local map, receiving first location information associated with a first remote coordinate system of the first remote device, the first location information corresponding to a location of the first remote device when the image data was captured, and determining a transformation between the local map and the first remote coordinate system. The local map may be aligned to a plurality of remote coordinate systems through triangulation based at least in part on location detections of a plurality of corresponding remote devices. The remote devices may generate a beacon or light that is detected by the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: FLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems ASInventor: Jon Elvira Andres Lund
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Patent number: 12252142Abstract: This application relates to a vehicle control method and system, a vehicle, and a storage medium. The vehicle control method includes: when a braking system fails, activating a backup braking system, the backup braking system decelerating a vehicle by controlling a regenerative motor; when a steering system fails, implementing transverse control over the vehicle by controlling the braking system; and when a parking system fails, implementing parking by controlling a motor and the braking system to work alternately. According to this method, safety control over the vehicle can be implemented when the original braking system, steering system, or parking system fails.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTDInventors: Bohong Xiao, Danilo Teobaldi, Da Yuan, Chao Xu, Baotian Wang, Xianhui Zhang, Zelei Zhou, Jiawang Zhong, Jiajia Xia, Ze Liu
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Patent number: 12240476Abstract: A computer includes a diagnosis unit configured to, for a vehicle in which an abnormality has occurred and continuing traveling by autonomous driving is impossible, determine whether or not the vehicle is able to be restored on a spot and whether or not the vehicle is able to travel by manual driving. Such a computer may be mounted on a vehicle, a server, and a mobile terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryosuke Kobayashi, Tomokazu Maya, Tsuyoshi Okada, Hiromitsu Fujii
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Patent number: 12240333Abstract: A method (100) for operating a vehicle (1) with an electric drive-train (2), wherein this electric drivetrain (2) is fed via a DC voltage source (3) and a converter (4) for converting the DC voltage into a single-phase or multiphase AC voltage, comprising the steps: —it is detected (110) that the vehicle (1) is stopped; —it is checked (120) on the basis of at least one specified criterion (10) whether the vehicle (1) is expected to be stopped only briefly; —in response to the fact that the vehicle (1) is expected to be stopped only briefly, the vehicle (1) is transferred (130) from the ready-to-drive state into a disabled state, wherein in this disabled state the vehicle (1) is protected against unauthorized use but the converter (4) continues to be supplied with the DC voltage from the DC voltage source (3); —in response to the fact that the vehicle (1) is not expected to be stopped only briefly, at least one functional test of the electric drivetrain (2), said test being provided for powering down the electType: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Joerg Maier, Michael Kauf
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Patent number: 12240440Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2023Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Alexander D. Streeter, Elizabeth Rousseau, David J. Meehan, Tania M. F. Zirn
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Patent number: 12236730Abstract: An example computer system includes memory hardware configured to store a machine learning model and historical driving data vector inputs, and processor hardware configured to execute instructions including training the machine learning model with the historical driving data vector inputs to generate a reconstructed driving data output, wherein the reconstructed driving data output includes at least one reconstruction error score indicative of a likelihood that a driving data input corresponds to a desired driving behavior, obtaining a current driving data input, and supplying the current driving data input to the machine learning model to generate a reconstruction error score based on the current driving data input. The instructions may include determining a driving score according to the reconstruction error score, identifying at least one driver notification according to the determined driving score, and transmitting the identified at least one driver notification to a computing device or display.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Haris Volos, Yunfei Xu, Ravi Akella, Takafumi Okayasu
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Patent number: 12233865Abstract: The preceding vehicle selection device includes a processor configured to estimate a continuous running distance from a present time of a surrounding vehicle based on information relating to the surrounding vehicle for each of a plurality of surrounding vehicles, estimate a followable distance when the host vehicle follows the surrounding vehicle based on the continuous running distance from the present time of the surrounding vehicle for each of the plurality of surrounding vehicles, and select the preceding vehicle from among the plurality of surrounding vehicles based on the followable distance. The information relating to the surrounding vehicle includes at least one of an SOC or an amount of remaining fuel of the surrounding vehicle, and a continuous running time or a continuous running distance up to the present time of the surrounding vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sui Kurihashi