Patents Examined by Michael Berns
  • Patent number: 11756353
    Abstract: A method includes detecting an event occurring on a vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one computing device that controls at least one operation of the vehicle. The at least one computing device includes a first computing device comprising system memory. In response to detecting the event, data is downloaded from the system memory to a non-volatile memory device of the vehicle. In some cases, a control action for the vehicle is implemented based on analysis of the downloaded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Junichi Sato
  • Patent number: 11752972
    Abstract: A method of operating a personal mobility is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor in the personal mobility, user identification information for a user authentication and transmitting the received user identification information to a server. A use approval message is received from the server when the user is a user registered in the server and the personal mobility is operated by the user according to the received use approval message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Anjou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jae Jun Ha, Ilsoo Yun, Sangmin Park, Sungho Park, Harim Jeong, Cheolwoo Kwon, Jiwon Kim, Kiyeon Park
  • Patent number: 11748765
    Abstract: A mobile computerized apparatus configured to provide membership status in a roadside assistance program after occurrence of a roadside event is disclosed. The apparatus executes instructions that cause/allow the apparatus to receive input related to an electronic membership card, retrieve from a data store membership information associated with the vehicle, and dynamically update the electronic membership card for display on the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Tara Cavallaro Kozlowski, Ryan M. Briggs, Imran Iqbal
  • Patent number: 11745858
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of managing force equalization (FEQ) on a vehicle utilizing redundant actuation systems for one or more control surfaces includes determining, via a force sensor, a measured force applied by a first actuation system in relation to a control surface, where the control surface is redundantly serviced by a plurality of actuation systems. The method also includes updating a measured-force time series for the first actuation system with the measured force. The method also includes analyzing movement over at least a portion of the measured-force time series. The method also includes identifying a force-fight cycle in the measured-force time series. The method also includes indicating the force-fight cycle in cumulative force-fight cycle data for the first actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton Harrell, Christos Bais, Curtis R. Higgens, Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr., David Adjei
  • Patent number: 11741719
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, system and method of navigating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors for obtaining data with respect to a remote stationary vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to classify the remote stationary vehicle into an object hypothesis based on the data, determine an actionable behavior of the autonomous vehicle based on a probability for the object hypothesis, and navigate the autonomous vehicle with respect to the remote vehicle via the actionable behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brent N. Bacchus, Pinaki Gupta, Sayyed Rouhollah Jafari Tafti
  • Patent number: 11731689
    Abstract: A system and method control an electro hydraulic power steering system for an electric vehicle having an electric vehicle battery. The power steering system includes an electro hydraulic power steering pump for assisting in movement of a steering wheel. An electronic controller includes an electronic processor configured to: receive a closed or open position for battery contactors from a contactor controller; receive a driving direction signal for the electric vehicle from a driving direction indicator; determine when the battery contactors are closed and when the driving direction signal is in drive or reverse for moving the electric vehicle, and provide an activation signal to operate the power steering pump when the battery contactors are closed and the driving direction signal is in one of drive and reverse. The electronic processor is configured to provide a deactivation signal to the power steering pump when the electric vehicle is not in drive or reverse; and/or the battery contactors are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Koenig, Markus Rief, Markus Wolf
  • Patent number: 11724786
    Abstract: Multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are operated by a host platform by configuring the AUVs with intermediate nodes (such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)) so as to allow the host platform to manage multiple AUVs. The intermediate nodes act as a relay for communications between the host platform and the AUVs allowing the host platform to scale to higher numbers of vehicles thus simultaneously operating the entire fleet of AUVs. The AUVs may provide underwater mapping data. The host platform may be stationary. The host platform may communicate with the intermediate nodes by satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SeaTrepid DeepSea LLC
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Christ, David Earl Selby
  • Patent number: 11724818
    Abstract: A system including an aircraft. A phased array may be configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy toward rotor blades and receive EM energy in a direction from the rotor blades. A processor may be configured to: determine or obtain rotor blade information; determine or obtain aircraft information; based on the rotor blade information and the aircraft information, determine (a) a time to transmit EM energy or receive EM energy and (b) an angle to transmit EM energy or receive EM energy; and based on the rotor blade information and the aircraft information, control the phased array to adjust a beam pointing angle and to transmit EM energy for a duration at the beam pointing angle. The phased array may be configured to transmit EM energy for the duration at the beam pointing angle, wherein the transmitted EM energy is configured to reflect off a rotor blade toward a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Lovseth, Joseph T. Graf
  • Patent number: 11714424
    Abstract: A modeling system trains computer models for an autonomous control system using computer simulated models of objects. The objects may be vehicles, and the computer simulated models may be virtual models of vehicles simulated by computer software. Since the vehicle models are computer simulated, various characteristics of the vehicle can be easily obtained by the modeling system. The various types of data may include geometric information of the vehicle, views of the vehicle from different perspectives, and the like. The modeling system can easily generate and label a large amount of training data using the characteristics of the computer simulated vehicles. The modeling system can use the training data to train computer models for the autonomous control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Phantom AI, Inc.
    Inventor: Youngwook Paul Kwon
  • Patent number: 11712008
    Abstract: A method for generating a localized data map, the method including (a) traversing an area with a machine, the machine including at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to receive data; (b) collecting data of the area utilizing the sensor; and (c) communicating the data to generate a localized data map. A system and method for generating a localized turf grass data map, the method including (a) traversing an area of turf grass with an outdoor power equipment machine, the outdoor power equipment machine including at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to receive data; (b) collecting turf grass data utilizing the sensor; and (c) communicating the turf grass data to generate a localized turf grass data map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INC
    Inventors: John Coleman, Peter Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11708066
    Abstract: Among other things, techniques are described for receiving, from at least one sensor of a vehicle, sensor data associated with a surface along a path to be traveled by a vehicle; using a surface classifier to determine a classification of the surface based on the sensor data; determining, based on the classification of the surface, drivability properties of the surface; planning, based on the drivability properties of the surface, a behavior of the vehicle when driving near the surface or on the surface; and controlling the vehicle based on the planned behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Bence Cserna, Eric Wolff, Shih-Yuan Liu
  • Patent number: 11702102
    Abstract: Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure relate to filtering of return points from a point cloud based on radial velocity measurements. An example method includes: receiving, by a sensing system of an autonomous vehicle (AV), data representative of a point cloud comprising a plurality of return points, each return point comprising a radial velocity value and position coordinates representative of a reflecting region that reflects a transmission signal emitted by the sensing system; applying, to each of the plurality of return points, at least one threshold condition related to the radial velocity value of a given return point to identify a subset of return points within the plurality of return points; removing the subset of return points from the point cloud to generate a filtered point cloud; and identifying objects represented by the remaining return points in the filtered point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Mingcheng Chen, Yunshan Jiang, Xiaoxiang Hu
  • Patent number: 11691467
    Abstract: An autonomous dock system for a vehicle, comprises a control system with instructions comprising steps for receiving a request to implement an autonomous dock routine. A vehicle speed and clutch position are calculated. A clutch position controller is commanded to maintain the calculated clutch position. An actual torque amount is iteratively detected as transferred across the clutch. A vehicle speed-control mechanism is commanded to maintain the calculated vehicle speed, and the actual vehicle speed is iteratively detected. When comparing the commanded vehicle speed to the detected actual vehicle speed indicates that the detected actual vehicle speed is below a speed threshold, and when the actual torque amount transferred across the clutch exceeds a torque threshold, the control system commands an increase in vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Conor H. Dodd, Nathan H. Cox, Matthew T. Boillat, Jon A. Steeby, Sujay Sirur, Rajeev Verma, Vishal V. Mahulkar, Vasilios Tsourapas, Kevin Snow
  • Patent number: 11693408
    Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing a driving style of an autonomous vehicle are presented. A system may include one or more sensors configured to collect information concerning driving characteristics; a memory containing computer-readable instructions for evaluating the driving characteristics for a pattern(s) correlatable with a driving style of the autonomous vehicle and for characterizing aspects of driving style based on the one or more patterns; and a processor configured to evaluate the driving characteristics for the one or more patterns correlatable with the driving style, and characterize aspects of the driving style based on the pattern(s). Corresponding methods and non-transitory media are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Richard Noel Bielby
  • Patent number: 11694271
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to multicomputer processing of vehicle operational data from telematics devices and other sources with centralized event control. An event control computing platform may receive vehicle operational data from a telematics device associated with a user. Subsequently, the event control computing platform may identify, based on the received data, whether at least one criterion associated with the user has been satisfied. If the received data indicates that the at least one criterion associated with the user has been satisfied, then the event control computing platform may generate a command configured to cause a change to a subunit of user data and then may transmit the generated command to a subunit provisioning server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Frank Kazas, Grady Irey, Soren K. Lundsgaard, Eric D. Huls
  • Patent number: 11679044
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Stewart M. Coulter, Brian G. Gray, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dean Kamen, David B. Doherty, Matthew A. Norris, Alexander D. Streeter, David J. Couture, Matthew B. Kinberger, Catharine N. Flynn, Elizabeth Rousseau, Thomas A. Doyon, Ryan Adams, Prashant Bhat, Bob Peret
  • Patent number: 11681290
    Abstract: When conditions have not been satisfied from a timing at which a first position of the interflow zone was set to a timing at which the subject vehicle reaches the first position, the first position is set as a start position where a notification for urging a handover of a central player of the subject vehicle is performed. When the condition for automatic interflow is satisfied for the first time at the timing at which the subject vehicle reaches the first position, a second position between the first position and a distal end of the interflow zone is set as the start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuta Hashimoto, Hiroki Fukuda, Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 11680815
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can provide a map application providing a representation of a physical structure of venues (e.g., shopping centers, airports) identified by the application. In addition, the application can provide a unique venue directory, providing an easy and visual mechanism to search for categories of points of interest (e.g., clothes, food, restrooms) or specific items within the venue. Search results can be presented on a map of a floor within the venue as well as a listing providing all search results located within the venue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan D. Shelby, Megan M. Frost, YunJae Kim, Sean P. O'Brien, Brett L. Lareau, Ryan W. Apuy, Jae Woo Chang
  • Patent number: 11681296
    Abstract: Enclosed are embodiments for scenario-based behavior specification and validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Radboud Duintjer Tebbens, Anne Collin, Calin Belta, Emilio Frazzoli, Kostyantyn Slutskyy, Amitai Bin-Nun, Tichakorn Wongpiromsarn, Hsun-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 11670169
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed cooperative localization in a connected vehicular platform are disclosed herein. At a first sensor-rich vehicle, one embodiment receives, from a second sensor-rich vehicle via direct vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, an estimated location of the first sensor-rich vehicle and an associated confidence level; estimates a location of the second sensor-rich vehicle based on first sensor data and assigns a confidence level to the estimated location; transmits to the second sensor-rich vehicle via direct V2V communication, the estimated location of the second sensor-rich vehicle and the assigned confidence level; accepts, based on communication between the first and second sensor-rich vehicles and predetermined acceptance criteria, an assignment to perform localization for a legacy vehicle; estimates a location of the legacy vehicle based on second sensor data; and transmits, to the legacy vehicle, the estimated location of the legacy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Ashour, Rui Guo, Ahmed H. Sakr, Prashant Tiwari