Patents Examined by Michael D Lang
  • Patent number: 10150472
    Abstract: A method for automatically assessing the risk of collision between a vehicle and an object includes determining a danger value characteristic of the risk of collision on the basis of the relative position and the relative speed between the vehicle and the object. A braking danger value is determined based on the current distance between the vehicle and a last possible (“last-chance”) position at which it is possible to avoid a collision between the vehicle and the object by braking the vehicle, and a steering danger value is determined based on the current distance between the vehicle and a last possible (“last-chance”) position at which it is possible to avoid a collision between the vehicle and the object by steering the vehicle. The risk of collision is assessed on the basis of the braking danger value and the second danger value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmed Benmimoun, Jitendra Shah, Jiezhi Fan
  • Patent number: 10145693
    Abstract: An own-position estimation device: detects positions of landmarks present around a vehicle; accumulates the detected positions of the landmarks as landmark position data based on a movement amount of the vehicle; extracts straight lines from the accumulated landmark position data; selects pieces of the landmark position data used for own-position estimation based on angles formed by intersecting ones of the extracted straight lines; and estimates a position of the vehicle by matching the selected pieces of the landmark position data and positions of landmarks in map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Asai
  • Patent number: 10144290
    Abstract: A user interface apparatus for a vehicle including a touch screen; a gesture input unit configured to detect a gesture of a user; and a processor configured to in response to the gesture detected by the gesture input unit being applied from a driver seat of the vehicle, display a preset first screen on the touch screen corresponding to driver operations of the vehicle, and in response to the gesture detected by the gesture input unit being applied from a front passenger seat of the vehicle, display a preset third screen on the touch screen corresponding to passenger operations of the vehicle excluding vehicle driving operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Suhyung Jang, Gangseub Lee, Jongmin Baek, Sowoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 10137778
    Abstract: A content startup control device includes: a reception unit that receives an instruction from a user to select a content; a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires information from a vehicle and/or information on traveling as vehicle information; a startup recording unit that stores the vehicle information, which is acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit when the content is selected or started up in response to the instruction received by the reception unit, as a startup record of the content; a condition creation unit that creates a startup condition under which the content is to be started up based on the startup record; and a content startup control unit that, if the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle information acquisition unit corresponds to the startup condition, proposes startup of a content related to the startup condition or starts up the content related to the startup condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Matsumoto, Noriyuki Abe, Kimio Okamoto, Tetsuya Yamada, Takuya Fujieda
  • Patent number: 10133279
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of updating a key frame of a mobile robot. An apparatus for updating a key frame of a mobile robot includes a key frame initializing unit which initializes seeds which constitute a key frame in a first position of the mobile robot and a key frame updating unit which projects seeds in the initialized key frame onto a first image photographed in the first position to obtain a coordinate according to each of the seeds and projects the seeds with the coordinates onto a second image photographed in a second position in accordance with movement of a mobile robot to update the seeds of the key frame as a projected result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Yujin Robot Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Chul Shin, Seong Ju Park, Jae Young Lee
  • Patent number: 10126922
    Abstract: This on-board unit is an on-board unit that is attached to a vehicle, stores information about the vehicle, and performs a process using the information about the vehicle, and includes a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating a state of the on-board unit, a storage unit management unit that stores state information in a storage unit when the on-board unit is powered off, and a fault determination unit that determines whether or not state information acquired when the on-board unit is powered on matches the state information stored in the storage unit, and determines a fault when the fault determination unit determines that the state information acquired when the on-board unit is powered on does not match the state information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINERY SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Adachi, Ryota Hiura, Takeshi Fukase, Takuma Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10112710
    Abstract: A motor vehicle system includes a motor vehicle including an aircraft landing portion, and an actively propelled unmanned aircraft configured to be supported on the aircraft landing portion. The vehicle and aircraft are configured such that the vehicle can provide at least one of fuel and electrical energy to the aircraft while the aircraft is supported on the aircraft landing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10112607
    Abstract: A driving support device includes a processing device that performs driving support by controlling in-vehicle equipment having an influence on running of a subject vehicle equipped with the driving support device. The processing device is configured to repeatedly obtain and store, at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined distance interval, a pair of values of longitudinal acceleration and lateral acceleration that are generated as a result of a driving operation performed by a driver, the longitudinal acceleration being an acceleration in a traveling direction of the subject vehicle, the lateral acceleration being an acceleration in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, and set at least one parameter of a support operation for performing the driving support, on the basis of a plurality of pairs each being the pair of the values of the longitudinal acceleration and the lateral acceleration repeatedly obtained and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Nakada
  • Patent number: 10113443
    Abstract: The failure detection device includes an accumulated data storage unit 30, a unit space generating module 13, a signal space generating module 14 and a determining module 16, wherein the unit space generating module 13 and the signal space generating module 14 use values as they are for condition sensor values defined as sensor values that affect other sensor values and sensor values that are not affected by the condition sensor values, and use values nondimensionalized by the condition sensor values or values adjusted by the condition sensor values for the other sensor values affected by the condition sensor values, and the determining module 16 compares a distance between the unit space and the signal space and determines presence/absence of a possibility of a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Masuda, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Moe Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10107642
    Abstract: A mobile communication device initiates display of a point of interest as being located at particular coordinates on a map. In response to receiving an input command from a user of the mobile communication device indicating that the particular location of the point of interest as specified by the map is incorrect, the mobile communication device forwards a communication (specifying a location of the mobile communication device and an identity of the point of interest) over a network to a map management resource. Based on feedback from the mobile communication device, the map management resource updates map data an actual location of the point of interest as opposed to an incorrect location as specified by the particular coordinates on the map. Subsequent distribution of the updated map information from the map management resource specifies the proper coordinates of the point of interest in the geographical region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Robert Seastrom, Wesley E. George, Chris R. Roosenraad
  • Patent number: 10099796
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for dynamically controlling the operation of an aircraft having a first gas turbine engine and a second gas turbine engine may generally include receiving, by a first engine controller and a second engine controller, one or more operator commands deriving from an operator manipulated input device. The method may also include controlling the operation of the first gas turbine engine via the first engine controller, and the second gas turbine engine via the second engine controller. In addition, the method may include detecting a fault condition associated with the first engine controller, and subsequently switching control of the first gas turbine engine from the first engine controller to the second engine controller. The method may further include dynamically controlling the operation of the first gas turbine engine with the second engine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Spack, Albion R. Fletcher, Jr., Drew G. Rindner
  • Patent number: 10102761
    Abstract: A route prediction unit estimates a route of an object of interest with respect to a target object based on collision avoidance models. A collision risk estimation unit calculates collision risks between the object of interest and target object for each collision avoidance model. A collision deciding unit decides the presence or absence of a collision from the collision risks and feeds back a collision avoidance model correction value to the route prediction unit when it is determined that the collision occurs. A collision avoidance route selector selects any of the plurality of collision avoidance models in which the absence of collision is decided by the collision deciding unit, and selects a route of the collision avoidance model as a route for avoiding the collision between the objects. The route prediction unit performs a new route prediction using the collision avoidance model correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Takabayashi, Hiroshi Kameda
  • Patent number: 10102744
    Abstract: A computing system for predictive traffic management using virtual lanes. In an embodiment, the system dynamically monitors and collects traffic conditions in real time, performs analytics on the collected traffic data, utilizes a neural network or other self-learning computer to assist in predictive traffic modeling, and interfaces with a public transfer system to provide an allocation/reallocation of lanes available for traffic use to optimize traffic flow and/or control traffic signals, and can provide vehicles (human driver or driverless/self-driving) with real time optimal route guidance, including use of alternate routes and a holographic image that shows and may also provide audio indications of lane allocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amol Ashok Dhondse, Selene M. O. Nunez, Anand Pikle, Gandhi Sivakumar, Ana P. H. Veerkamp
  • Patent number: 10094680
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that implement an application programming interface (API) for generating digital maps. When invoked by a software module executing on one or more processors of a client device, the API operates to (i) determine a geographic location to be included in a digital map, where the geographic location is specified by a server device coupled to the client device via a communication network, (ii) select a parameter for a viewport of the digital map based at least on a distance from a current location of the client device to the specified geographic location, (iii) generate the digital map in accordance with the selected parameter, and display the digital map via a user interface of the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Zhou Bailiang
  • Patent number: 10081353
    Abstract: It is determined whether or not an automatic transmission is in a pre-gear shift state determined in advance prior to a power-ON gear shift in which torque-down control is performed. When the automatic transmission is in the pre-gear shift state, since a required free capacity is secured in a capacitor, torque-down control of a second motor generator is performed in a gear shift, and even if surplus power is generated in a power supply circuit due to the torque-down control, the surplus power can be quickly absorbed using the capacitor. Since a required free capacity is secured in the capacitor by determining whether or not the automatic transmission is in the pre-gear shift state, a predetermined free capacity does not need to be secured constantly, normal capacitor storage control focusing on drivability or the like can be performed normally, and use restriction of the capacitor is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daiki Sato
  • Patent number: 10081351
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling an engine unit in a vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine unit, a transmission unit adapted to selectively couple with the engine unit and also configured to transmit the power generated by the engine unit, a first motor generator coupled with the transmission unit, an output unit, a power switching device, a second motor generator configured to drive at least one of front and rear wheels, and a power battery that is respectively connected to the first motor generator and the second motor generator. The method includes: acquiring an operating mode of a vehicle and an operating parameter of the vehicle; and controlling an engine unit according to an operating parameter and an operating mode to start or stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Dongsheng Yang, Yubo Lian, Jintao Zhang, Hongbin Luo
  • Patent number: 10065680
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of building a smart vehicle control model, and a method and apparatus for controlling a smart vehicle, wherein the method of building a smart vehicle control model comprises: acquiring sample data which comprise corresponding steering wheel turning angles under driving environments; extracting vehicle state features and road condition features from the sample data; using the extracted features to train a neural network model to obtain the smart vehicle control model. The method of controlling smart vehicle comprises: extracting vehicle state features and road condition features of a vehicle to be controlled; inputting the extracted features into the smart vehicle control model to obtain a steering wheel turning angle; controlling the vehicle to be controlled using the steering wheel turning angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Yu, Tianlei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10059367
    Abstract: A characteristic selection/current upper limit value calculation section 64 selects a cranking upper limit characteristic map MP2 in the case where a cranking state is detected by a cranking state supposition section 63, and selects a non-cranking upper limit characteristic map MP1 in the case where the cranking state is not detected. Upper limit limitation on a current caused to pass through a motor 20 is relaxed in a cranking upper limit characteristic as compared with a non-cranking upper limit characteristic. Consequently, it is possible to prevent excessive current limitation during cranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Sone
  • Patent number: 10049590
    Abstract: A method for autonomous controlling of an aerial vehicle, wherein a flight operator commands the aerial vehicle, comprising the steps of: measuring flight and/or system data of the aerial vehicle; performing an evaluation of a flight condition of the aerial vehicle based on the measured data and based on at least one decision criterion; and, issuing at least one autonomous controlling command, if, as a result of the evaluation of the flight condition, the aerial vehicle is in danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Thiele, Winfried Lohmiller, Lars Schoepfer, Hugo Heusinger, Werner Kleih
  • Patent number: 10046757
    Abstract: A system for a driving mode conversion of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a driving information detecting unit that detects driving information based on a vehicle driving using sensors within the vehicle. A driving propensity determining unit determines a driving propensity based on average vehicle speed and a position variation of accelerator and brake pedals. A predicting unit learns an acceleration and deceleration prediction model based on the driving information, and generates a near future intention prediction value to which a vehicle driving environment and the driving propensity are reflected utilizing the prediction model. A controller determines whether an engine starting is performed by calculating current required power of a driver based on a pedal position value, and determines whether the engine starting is performed by comparing the near future acceleration and deceleration intention prediction value with the position value of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Joonyoung Park