Patents Examined by Richard Camby
  • Patent number: 9630617
    Abstract: A method is provided for resuming the movement of a motor vehicle after unforeseen stopping in an automated parking process performed by a parking assistance system having automated longitudinal and transverse guidance. If the vehicle is stopped, a decision is made about a resumption of movement of the vehicle in the prior direction of travel that existed before the vehicle was stopped. The decision is made in dependence on the remaining travel path from the current position to the next planned stopping point of the trajectory lying in the prior direction of travel. A stopping point of the trajectory can be a reversal point or the final parking position, for example. If the decision is positive, the movement of the vehicle is resumed in the prior direction of travel. If the decision is negative, the movement of the vehicle is resumed against the prior direction of travel. Alternatively, in the case of a negative decision, the movement of the vehicle may not be resumed and the parking process may be ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Burtsche, Thomas Velten, Rainer Schillinger, Thomas Goldmann
  • Patent number: 9622408
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a pitch of a plurality of fan blades of a variable pitch fan driven by an engine of a harvester. The control system comprises first, second, and third feedback devices that provide first, second, and third feedback signals indicative of at least one harvester temperature, an ambient temperature, and an engine load. A controller is operable to receive the first, second, and third feedback signals, lookup an initial pitch setting, generate an initial pitch setting signal, and compare the harvester temperature to a harvester temperature limit and generate a fan reversal signal if certain conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Shaun J. Miller, Robert C. Blad, Mark A. Cracraft, James T. Noonan, Cole D. Miller, Darren J. Cruchelow, Steven D. Wallestad
  • Patent number: 9613536
    Abstract: A method for operating a distributed flight management system. The method includes operating a control station instance of the distributed flight management system. The method includes receiving flight management system data from a remotely accessed vehicle. The method includes receiving time-space-position information of the remotely accessed vehicle from the remotely accessed vehicle. The method includes updating the control station instance of the distributed flight management system based at least on the received flight management system data and the time-space-position information of the remotely accessed vehicle. The method includes outputting updated flight management system data for transmission to the remotely accessed vehicle to synchronize a remotely accessed vehicle instance of the distributed flight management system with the control station instance of the distributed flight management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Wolford, Thomas L. Vogl, Stephanie D. Burns, Steven C. Morling, Matthew M. Lorch
  • Patent number: 9598077
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle movement control system which does not cause a discomfort feeling at a normal time and securely assists a driver at the time of emergency avoidance steering. The vehicle movement control system includes: a risk potential estimation unit which estimates a risk potential of a vehicle based on input environmental information and vehicle information; a vehicle longitudinal movement control unit which generates a longitudinal movement control command of the vehicle based on a lateral jerk of the vehicle and a predetermined gain; a vehicle yawing movement control unit which generates a yawing movement control command of the vehicle based on the lateral jerk of the vehicle and the predetermined gain; and a ratio adjustment unit which adjusts a ratio between the longitudinal movement control command of the vehicle and the yawing movement control command of the vehicle, wherein the ratio adjustment unit adjusts the ratio based on the risk potential estimated by the risk potential estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Keiichiro Nagatsuka, Mitsuhide Sasaki, Mikio Ueyama
  • Patent number: 9593464
    Abstract: A construction machine includes: a swing structure (20); hydraulic and electric motors (25) mechanically coupled to each other; a hydraulic pump (41) that supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor; swing control lever (72) that instructs the swing structure to make a swing motion; and a control device (80) that controls at least either a delivery flow rate of the hydraulic pump or an output torque of the electric motor in such a manner that meter-out and meter-in pressures of the hydraulic motor that is run together with the electric motor approach each other when the demanded torque necessary for the swing motion of the swing structure instructed by the swing control lever can be produced by the electric motor alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiho Izumi, Kouji Ishikawa, Shinya Imura, Shinji Nishikawa, Tomoaki Kaneta, Hiroaki Amano
  • Patent number: 9594371
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting execution of driving maneuvers based on pre-determined driving maneuver profiles. Some or all of the system may be installed in a vehicle and/or be otherwise coupled with a vehicle. In some implementations, the system may detect execution of driving maneuvers by the vehicle based on pre-determined driving maneuver profiles. The system may include one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicle. In some implementations, the system may detect execution of the driving maneuvers by the vehicle based on a comparison of the information conveyed by the output signals from the sensors to criteria included in the pre-determined driving maneuver profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar
  • Patent number: 9587378
    Abstract: An auto-powered mobile machine with controls for a riding operator and a system for carrying and making efficient use of a variety of attachable tools. Wireless radio communication from the controls to a lower tool may allow the swivel to spin any number of times without limitation. Hydraulic tool position controls are wirelessly coupled to a remote sensor that responds to a string datum line, a curb, direction of gravity, or GPS data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen T Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9586581
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for reducing instances of vehicle collisions. Based on parameter data of a first vehicle and road conditions, and parameter data regarding a second vehicle, the first vehicle can undergo warnings or positional adjustments to reduce the likelihood of a collision with the second vehicle or other collision body. The vehicle adjustment can be in the form of braking or steering adjustments. The warning can be in the form of a visual, audio, or haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO.
    Inventors: Matthias Strauss, Galin Bobev
  • Patent number: 9579984
    Abstract: A control method of a low voltage DC-DC converter for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes determining a vehicle drive mode, determining vehicle driving condition, and determining vehicle condition information including a motor output alteration and a gear mode. Further, an output mode of the low voltage converter is determined based to the drive mode, the driving condition, and the condition information and an output voltage of the low voltage converter is adjusted based on temperature and SOC of a battery in the determined output mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong Jun Shin
  • Patent number: 9567004
    Abstract: A method for vehicle path tracking with error correction comprises steps of: acquiring vehicle instant information and a target path; developing a predictive path in accordance with the vehicle instant information; determining a vehicle yaw rate threshold value in accordance with the vehicle instant information; calculating a steering angle corresponding to the vehicle yaw rate threshold value; estimating a lateral error correction value corresponding to the steering angle; determining whether the lateral error correction value is not greater than an error value between the target path and the predictive path; controlling a vehicle to turn the steering angle corresponding to the lateral error correction value when the lateral error correction value is less than the error value; and controlling the vehicle to turn the steering angle corresponding to the error value when the lateral error correction value is greater than the error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH & TESTING CENTER
    Inventors: Tong-Kai Jhang, Jin-Yan Hsu, Jiun-Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 9566982
    Abstract: A method and system of generating a horizon for use by an ADAS of a vehicle involving recording the historic movements of the vehicle on a road network, and using the recorded data to determine at least a most probable path that the vehicle will take at decision point of the road network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Kenneth Hoover Wilson
  • Patent number: 9562776
    Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment, a portable user-carried device includes wireless communication circuitry capable of determining a relative direction of a wireless signal in a vehicle. A processor may be programmed to determine a location of the device within a vehicle based upon the relative direction of the wireless signal as determined by the wireless communication circuitry. In a disclosed method for activating a function in a vehicle, a state of a user-carried portable device is determined. A function is activated based upon the state of the user-carried portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Otman A Basir
  • Patent number: 9555706
    Abstract: A traction control system configured to limit slip by a machine having a work implement including a machine motion sensor configured to determine a motion of the machine, a work implement unit configured to determine whether the work implement is in an operational state, a powertrain motion sensor configured to determine a motion of a powertrain component, and a machine powertrain controller configured to determine slip by comparing the motion of the machine to the motion of the powertrain component, wherein the machine powertrain controller is configured to command a torque reduction to the powertrain component when slip is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mitchell, Norval Thomson
  • Patent number: 9550496
    Abstract: A travel control apparatus is configured to perform an overtaking travel on a host vehicle with a vehicle travelling ahead as an overtaking target vehicle during an autonomous driving of the host vehicle. In a case where the overtaking travel starts, the apparatus determines whether or not the overtaking target vehicle accelerates during the overtaking travel. In a case where it is determined that the overtaking target vehicle accelerates, the apparatus determines whether or not a front vehicle is present in front of the overtaking target vehicle. In a case where it is determined that the front vehicle is not present, the apparatus stops the overtaking travel of the host vehicle, and in a case where it is determined that the front vehicle is present, the apparatus continues the overtaking travel of the host vehicle under a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ikuma Suzuki, Masaki Matsunaga, Tetsuya Taira
  • Patent number: 9550579
    Abstract: Method of estimation of the speed of an aircraft relative to the surrounding air, in a reference frame tied to the aircraft estimates an estimated static pressure on the basis of measurements of geographical altitude. The process then estimates a first intermediate variation of the speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air using explicitly the fact that the pressure measured by the static probe is falsified by a known quantity under the effect of the speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air. Finally, temporal integration of the first intermediate variation of the speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air provides an estimated speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Christian Mehlen, Jacques Coatantiec
  • Patent number: 9545924
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a vehicle cruise control, particularly concerning a school bus, which includes collecting information on the school bus and a road environment positioned around nearby vehicle, monitoring position, velocity and moving direction of the school bus, and state of surrounding road. If the school bus is stopped relatively near the front of the nearby vehicle, the method continues by determining whether or not the vehicle is stopped by comparing the collected school bus information and the road environment information with a predefined cruise regulation based on the school bus, and guiding the driver to stop as well as controlling the vehicle to stop depending on the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ji Hyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9540071
    Abstract: The invention provides a wireless control system for a bicycle, including at least one shift actuator generating an input signal when actuated and a master control unit transmitting a shift signal responsive to the input signal. At least one electromechanical gear changer is provided and includes a gear changer control unit. The gear changer control unit receives the shift signal from the master control unit and controls the at least one electromechanical gear changer corresponding to the received shift signal. The gear changer control unit listens for the shift signal during a part of an awake mode cycle time, the master control unit transmitting the shift signal for a message duration time which is greater than the awake mode cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Todd Squires
  • Patent number: 9540002
    Abstract: A target recognition apparatus includes a detecting unit and an estimating unit. The detecting unit detects an object that is present in a traveling direction of a vehicle, and acquires information for estimation that is used to perform an object type estimation to presume whether or not the detected object is an object to be used in control for enabling the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation. The estimating unit performs the object type estimation based on the information for estimation. When a predetermined first condition is met, the control for enabling the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation is prohibited or suppressed. The predetermined first condition indicates that erroneous estimation may occur in the object type estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Ito, Akiyoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9540785
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a revolving pump output calculating section that calculates the revolving pump output where the output of an electric motor is converted to be the output of a hydraulic pump. A reduction amount determining section determines a reduction amount for the output of the hydraulic pump during the multiple operations based on the revolving pump output. A pump output determining section determines a value, where the reduction amount is subtracted from the output of the hydraulic pump which is determined according to the state with the multiple operations, in a first control mode as the output of the hydraulic pump during the multiple operations. The pump output determining section increases the output of the hydraulic pump during the multiple operations in a second control mode more than in the first control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Kamado, Takashi Sugiguchi, Shinya Arimatsu, Yuki Sugimura
  • Patent number: 9533640
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for reconfiguring a vehicle based on one or more preferences of a first user without the first user directly providing an input to the vehicle to reconfigure the vehicle. The method may include wirelessly receiving first user profile data at a vehicle. The first user profile data may be associated with a first user. The first user profile data may describe how one or more settings of the vehicle should be configured for the first user. Upon receipt of the first user profile data, the vehicle may be configured in accordance with second user profile data describing how the one or more settings of the vehicle should be configured for a second user. The method may include reconfiguring the one or more settings of the vehicle based on the first user profile data so that the vehicle is reconfigured for the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Vinuth Rai