Patents Examined by Redhwan k Mawari
  • Patent number: 10585429
    Abstract: A steering robot for operating a steering wheel of a test automobile is disclosed. The robot includes an actuator mounted to the automobile, and an electromechanical connector that detachably connects the actuator to the steering wheel. A steering processor is connected to the actuator and to the electromechanical connector, and the steering processor (1) actuates the actuator, thereby operating the steering wheel when the actuator is connected to the steering wheel by way of the electromechanical connector; and (2) actuates the electromechanical connector, thereby disconnecting the actuator from the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: DYNAMIC RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Y Silberling, Nadine A Wong, Brian K Kebschull, Joseph Kelly, Stephen Rhim
  • Patent number: 10573180
    Abstract: A vehicle control device generates a fusion target by fusion of a radar target of an object ahead of the own vehicle acquired as a reflected wave of a carrier wave and an image target of the object acquired by image processing of an acquired image of a region ahead of the own vehicle and performs vehicle control of the own vehicle for the object detected as the fusion target. The vehicle control device determines whether a state where the object is detected with the fusion target has transitioned to a state where the object is detected with only the radar target; determines whether a distance to the object is a predetermined short distance when the state is determined to have transitioned to the state where the object is detected with only the radar target; and performs the vehicle control for to the object when the distance to the object is determined to be the predetermined short distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Ito, Akitoshi Minemura, Shogo Matsunaga, Jun Tsuchida, Masayuki Shimizu, Wataru Ike
  • Patent number: 10549733
    Abstract: A method/control unit for recognizing critical driving situations of a two-wheeled motor vehicle (MV), including: ascertaining an instantaneous slip angle (ISA) and differential slip angle (DSA) of the front/rear wheels; ascertaining an instantaneous roll angle (IRA); comparing the ascertained SAs and DSAs to predetermined values (PV) of maximum allowable slip angles (MASA) or DSAs; comparing the IRA to PVs of a maximum allowable roll angle (MARA); and generating a criticality signal when one of the ISAs is greater than the PV of the MASA, at least one of the instantaneous DSAs is greater than the PV of the maximum allowable DSA, and the IRA is greater than the PV of the MARA. Critical driving situations are recognized with the method, and measures for stabilizing the two-wheeled MV or other safety-enhancing measures may be performed. Special driving situations (driving over low-? patches or braking while negotiating a curve) may be considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hardy Haas
  • Patent number: 10538325
    Abstract: Unmanned vehicles can be terrestrial, aerial, nautical, or multi-mode. Unmanned vehicles may be used to survey a property in response to or in anticipation of damage to the property. For example, an unmanned vehicle may analyze information about the property and based on the information initiate an insurance claim for damage to the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
    Inventor: Jordan Newmark
  • Patent number: 10514701
    Abstract: A self-propelled surface treating device, in particular a cleaning robot, with a device housing and a collision detection device for detecting a collision between the surface treating device and an obstacle, wherein the collision detection device has at least one touch-sensitive contact sensor. In order to protect the surface treating device against impacts in the vertical direction, it is proposed that the touch-sensitive contact sensor be a vertical contact sensor, which is arranged on the device housing in such a way that its detection area is vertically aligned during a movement with the surface treating device conventionally oriented, so that the vertical contact sensor is configured to detect a force acting vertically on the surface treating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Windorfer
  • Patent number: 10509404
    Abstract: A controller of a mobile object causes the mobile object to move by a first control amount corresponding to a first velocity absolute value and a first velocity direction. If the controller detects that first information indicating a first velocity of a first communication-partner mobile object is ceased to be received, the controller decides on a second control amount by which the mobile object is to be moved based on the first information that has already been received, the second control amount corresponding to a second velocity absolute value and a second velocity direction. The controller decides on, based on the first control amount and the second control amount, a third control amount corresponding to a third velocity absolute value and a third velocity direction, and causes the mobile object to move by switching from the first control amount to the third control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Satoru Hayama
  • Patent number: 10490088
    Abstract: A Geo-containment system includes at least one unmanned aircraft and a control system that is configured to limit flight of the unmanned aircraft based, at least in part, on predefined Geo-spatial operational boundaries. These boundaries may include a primary boundary and at least one secondary boundary that is spaced apart from the primary boundary a minimum safe distance. The minimum safe distance is determined while the unmanned aircraft is in flight utilizing state information of the unmanned aircraft and dynamics and dynamics coefficients of the unmanned aircraft. The state information includes at least position and velocity of the unmanned aircraft. The control system is configured to alter or terminate operation of the unmanned aircraft if the unmanned aircraft violates the primary Geo-spatial operational boundary or the secondary Geo-spatial boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Evan T. Dill, Kyle M. Smalling, Steven D. Young, Cuong C. Quach, Kelly J. Hayhurst, Anthony J. Narkawicz
  • Patent number: 10486681
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing torque arbitration for a hybrid powertrain. In one example, a method may include operating the hybrid powertrain over a predetermined route with a torque arbitration, and updating the torque arbitration based on a vehicle mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Mario D'Amato, Karin Lovett, Mark Warren Muddiman, John Jeffrey Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 10486687
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The powertrain has an engine and an electric machine. The controller is programmed to, for so long as a catalytic converter temperature is less than a threshold, maintain a steady state engine torque output and adjust an electric machine torque output to satisfy driver demand. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the catalytic converter temperature exceeding the threshold, permit adjustments of the engine torque output to satisfy the driver demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Justin Panhans, Sassan Farahmand
  • Patent number: 10471829
    Abstract: Methods and systems of an electrical vehicle are provided that recognize a power system fault with the vehicle and in response autonomously drive the vehicle to an identified safe location to self-destruct. Upon reaching the location, the vehicle can evaluate the location using imaging sensors to determine whether the location is free of objects, animals, or people. If not, the vehicle may autonomously drive to another safe location. Prior to destruction, the vehicle sends messages, including information about the power system fault, to at least one device or third party. The messages include location information for the vehicle or information about the power system fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Yadunandana Yellambalase, Austin L. Newman
  • Patent number: 10474158
    Abstract: A travel control method for a vehicle detects a target trajectory along which a subject vehicle should travel and controls the subject vehicle to travel in an autonomous manner along the detected target trajectory. This method includes provisionally setting a forward gaze point distance from the subject vehicle to a forward gaze point, estimating a traveling trajectory in which the subject vehicle coincides with the target trajectory at the forward gaze point, detecting a maximum value of a lateral displacement between the estimated traveling trajectory and the target trajectory during travel from a current position of the subject vehicle to the forward gaze point, and definitely setting the forward gaze point distance when the maximum value of the lateral displacement is a predetermined value or less as an actual forward gaze point distance and controlling the subject vehicle to travel on the basis of the definitely-set forward gaze point distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Shimakage
  • Patent number: 10466692
    Abstract: AGVs receive instructions regarding tasks to be performed via localized wireless I/O communication devices (604) onboard the AGVs from localized wireless communications units (600) positioned about the facility, for example, at conveyors (202). The wireless communications units (600) utilize I/O devices (604) which have a limited range so as to be truly localized in their operation. The AGVs have a sophisticated onboard control system (130) that includes a destination determination system (140), a routing system (142), a navigation system (144), and a crash avoidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Douglas, Mark Weninger
  • Patent number: 10457281
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to communicatively link a first operator control unit (OCU) disposed off-board a vehicle system with a vehicle control system (VCS) disposed onboard the vehicle system. The vehicle system is formed from first and second vehicles. The VCS is configured to remotely control movement of the second vehicle from the first vehicle, wherein the one or more processors configured to receive a control signal communicated from the first OCU to a communication device that is onboard the first vehicle. The control signal dictates a change in movement operational setting of the second vehicle. The one or more processors configured to direct the communication device to communicate the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the VCS, wherein movement of the second vehicle is automatically changed responsive to communicating the control signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
    Inventors: James D. Brooks, Jeffery Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10446036
    Abstract: A traffic control system for a manned vehicle, traveling on one of plural lanes arranged side by side in a mine, and a traffic control device connected with the vehicle. A zone of the lane, on which the vehicle is traveling, is set as a first travel-permitted zone with a travel permission given to the vehicle only. Upon receipt of a request from the vehicle for a travel-permitted zone of another-lane with a travel permission given only to the vehicle on a lane adjacent the lane on which the vehicle is traveling, the traffic control device sets, as the travel-permitted zone of the another-lane, a zone including at least a part of a zone arranged on the adjacent lane side by side with the first travel-permitted zone, and transmits the travel-permitted zone of the another-lane to the vehicle, which the vehicle displays on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kanai, Manabu Katou, Tomoyuki Hamada
  • Patent number: 10430800
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a vehicle, the method includes measuring multiple vehicle operating parameters using a vehicle monitor; wherein the vehicle monitor is mechanically coupled to the vehicle or installed in the vehicle; searching, by the vehicle monitor, for one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters; wherein an out-of-range vehicle operating parameter is a vehicle operating parameter that is outside an allowable range of the vehicle operating parameter; and responding to the one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters by the vehicle monitor; wherein the one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters are indicative of at least one vehicle failure that is impending; wherein the responding precedes an occurrence of the at least one vehicle failure that is impending; and wherein the responding comprises at least one out of: sending one or more out-of-range alerts indicting about the one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters; sending additional information relating to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Traffilog
    Inventors: Donald James Remboski, Jacqui A. Dedo, Yoav Megged, Dani Shafriri
  • Patent number: 10424205
    Abstract: The present invention provides an auxiliary berthing method and system for a vessel. Position information of a vessel relative to a berth is determined by a solar blind ultraviolet imaging method; meanwhile, by a GPS method, an attitude angle of the vessel relative to the berth is determined by at least two GPS receivers. Thus, the vessel can be berthed safely when getting close to the shore at low visibility. Further, in the method and device of the present invention, it can be preferable to integrate coordinate data and angle data received by a solar blind ultraviolet imaging module and GPS signal receiving modules by a normalized correlation algorithm and a data fusion algorithm, so as to improve the positioning accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY 5D TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xi Zhu, Yuanyuan Li, Feng Yan, Xiang Li, Xun Cao, Weisong Pan, Jianwen Ding, Jibin Wang, Jun Wang, Chen Chen, Dapeng Li, Wei Li, Wenzhu Wang
  • Patent number: 10421440
    Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting measurements with automotive repair information are described herein. A method may include a server storing a plurality of service scenarios defined for at least one display device. Each stored service scenario includes at least one setup instruction, and each setup instruction is based on at least one capability of at least one CVST. The method may further include the server receiving data indicating an operating condition of a vehicle from a first display device of the at least one display device. Based on the stored plurality of service scenarios and the received data, the server may determine that a first stored service scenario of the plurality of service scenarios matches the operating condition. The server may then determine a first CVST having a first capability that is associated with the first display device, and transmitting the first stored service scenario to the first display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Roy S. Brozovich, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos
  • Patent number: 10421419
    Abstract: A vehicle electronic control device includes: a detection unit of a power supply voltage; a power determination unit determining whether the power supply voltage is reduced below a predetermined voltage; an identification number storage unit for a vehicle identification number; a timing storage unit storing time information of reduction when the power supply voltage is reduced below the predetermined voltage; a control unit acquiring a vehicle identification number stored in an identification number storage unit and time information stored in a timing storage unit of the other electronic control device; and an identification number determination unit: determining one of the other electronic control device and the electronic control device storing newest time information in the timing storage unit as a target electronic control device; and determining that a vehicle identification number stored in the identification number storage unit of the target electronic control device is a correct identification number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 10417839
    Abstract: A vehicle assessment analyzer is in communication with a vehicle, via the vehicle network computer and the vehicle communication bus. The vehicle assessment analyzer obtains the vehicle VIN from the vehicle and transmits the VIN to a vehicle assessment analytics server. The vehicle assessment analytics server then determines assessment readings to be performed on the vehicle, such as individual electronic sensors therein, to generate an overall vehicle assessment as compared to other vehicles of similar make, model, etc. These assessment readings are sent to the vehicle assessment analyzer which obtains the associated data and transmits the data back to the server for generation of the overall vehicle assessment. The assessment readings may query the vehicle network computer via standard assessment readings, and heightened assessment readings, and may also query the vehicle communications bus directly thereby obtaining any desired electronic information available from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Navigation Research Company
    Inventors: A. C. Allen, Jr., Dennis Jump, Paul E. Barrett
  • Patent number: 10415988
    Abstract: In an example system, an hours of service system may be integrated with a navigation system and configured to dynamically change a driver's route based on changing real time conditions and remaining hours of service. This system may then automatically route a driver to a new, e.g. closer, stop when necessary so that the driver and his carrier may comply with an hours of service requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: OMNITRACS, LLC
    Inventors: Gene Emory, Jon Van Winkle