Patents Examined by Richard M. Camby
  • Patent number: 11142154
    Abstract: A self-diagnosing sensor system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a bumper with fascia material. The sensor system includes an elongated, deflectable cable disposed in the bumper generally adjacent to the fascia material. A tensioning and sensing unit is coupled to each end of the cable and fixed to the vehicle. Each unit includes a tension sensor electrically connected with an ECU of the vehicle such that the ECU receives signals from the tension sensors regarding tension in the cable, indicative of 1) whether the bumper has been impacted based on deflection of the cable from a sensing position, or 2) whether damage to the cable or a tensioning and sensing unit has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Palazzolo, Tobias Tyroller, Nicholas J Anger, Michael Feser
  • Patent number: 11143519
    Abstract: Systems and methods of using satellite signal strength to determine indoor/outdoor transition points for places are disclosed herein. In some example embodiments, a computer system accesses service data and sensor data for a plurality of requests for a transportation service associated with a place, with the service data comprising pick-up data indicating a pick-up location and drop-off data indicating a drop-off location, and the sensor data comprising satellite signals indicating a pick-up path or a drop-off path, with the satellite signals each having a corresponding signal strength. The computer system determines a transition geographic location for the place based on the signal strengths of the satellite signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dineshkumar Karuppanna Gounder Ramasamy, Upamanyu Madhow
  • Patent number: 11138661
    Abstract: Implementations of various methods and systems to transform agriculture units with two waypoints or a destination waypoint or a series sequence of waypoints into objects which have associated price-time priority queues for transformed agriculture units. The present disclosed invention relates to combining the concepts of objected oriented programming, market price queues, agriculture, navigation systems and social networking and transportation as a fungible asset class or agriculture linked to transportation as an open market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SimpsX Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Erik M. Simpson
  • Patent number: 11124174
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to control acceleration in line with the driver's intention when depressing one of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal after releasing the other one of the pedals in one-pedal mode. The vehicle control system is configured to obtain an operating speed of one of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal returned to an initial position, set a target acceleration based on an operating amount of the other pedal depressed after releasing said one of the pedals, and increase a correction amount to correct the target acceleration if the operating speed of the returned pedal is fast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11124942
    Abstract: A system for controlling a ground engaging work implement includes a machine position sensor, a work surface position sensor, a work implement position sensor, and a controller. The controller determines the position of the machine, determines the topography of the work surface, determines a location of a pre-task trigger location adjacent the task start location, and determine a position of the lowest surface of the ground engaging work implement. The controller generates traverse signals to propel the machine from the task end location towards the task start location, generate work implement height signals to maintain the lowest surface of the ground engaging work implement at or above the traversing threshold height as the machine travels from the task end location towards the task start location, and generate work implement lowering signals to lower the work implement to the pre-task threshold height after the machine passes the pre-task trigger location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Faivre, Tianjiao Zuo, Paul D. Lenzen, Steven R. Krause
  • Patent number: 11119486
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to provide an improved mobility vehicle are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a sensor positioned with respect to a seat to detect pressure by a user with respect to the sensor and to generate a signal corresponding to the pressure; and a processor to convert the signal into a control command for a powertrain to move the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jose Daniel Magraner Bonifacio
  • Patent number: 11112798
    Abstract: A drone autonomously operates to track an object and/or observe the details of an object while maintaining communication at a rate equal to or greater than a threshold. A drone may operate to maintain the image of an object at or above a predetermined resolution in an image captured by a camera mounted on the drone and to maintain a wireless communication rate equal to or greater than a threshold rate. The object resolution may be a function of the position of the drone relative to the object. The position of the drone may include the altitude of the drone. The communication rate may be a function of the position of the drone relative to one or more base stations. The position of the drone relative to the object and to the base stations may be a function of altitude. A drone may autonomously move to capture an image of an object at an object resolution and maintain wireless communication at or above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventor: Will A. Egner
  • Patent number: 11110871
    Abstract: An ECU compares a plurality of pieces of data that include the same identification information if they are received within a preset time range. If it is determined, as a result of the comparison, that there are one or more data groups each consisting of data having the same content, and the number of largest data groups with the largest number of pieces of data among the one or more data groups is one, the ECU selects data included in the largest data group as proper data. In the ECU, if it is determined that, as a result of comparison, that there is no data group, or the number of largest data groups is greater than one, the contents of the plurality of pieces of data received within the time range are ignored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 11113550
    Abstract: A method for reminding a driver of a motor vehicle to start at a light signal device, includes the following steps: detecting a light signal of a light signal device by evaluating an image data set; detecting the stationary state of the motor vehicle according to the motor vehicle operating parameters; producing a stop signal when the detected light signal is a stop light signal and when the motor vehicle is stationary; in the presence of the stop signal, generating a start signal when a switch to a drive light signal is detected by evaluating an additional image data set, and transferring the start signal via an interface to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joeran Zeisler
  • Patent number: 11097702
    Abstract: A method for electronically controlling a brake unit having two brake systems in an automatically controllable vehicle combination includes inputting a request signal for automatic electronic activation of service brakes in a tractor vehicle brake system of a tractor vehicle and/or a trailer brake system of a trailer of the vehicle combination, wherein an automatically requested vehicle setpoint acceleration and/or an automatically requested vehicle setpoint velocity to be implemented by the respective service brakes are transmitted via the request signal. The method further includes monitoring and checking plausibility of the request signal to establish whether the automatically requested vehicle setpoint acceleration and/or the automatically requested vehicle setpoint velocity are or can be implemented completely or faultlessly by the respective service brakes. The method additionally includes outputting a trailer redundancy control signal at the trailer brake system under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventor: Oliver Wulf
  • Patent number: 11097806
    Abstract: A control method for controlling an electric motor of an electric bicycle in dependence on an applied transmission ratio of a gear shift includes detecting a pedaling torque of the bicycle rider and detecting the applied transmission ratio of the gear shift. In addition, the control method controls the electric motor for the drive of the electric bicycle in dependence on the detected pedaling torque and the detected transmission ratio in order to generate a torque of the electric motor. The bicycle rider is thus supported by the electric motor while driving the electric bicycle in dependence on the applied transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Dasbach
  • Patent number: 11092447
    Abstract: A system and method generates and recommends a short and pleasant path between a source s and destination d in a geo-location such as a city or city center. The routes are not only short but emotionally pleasant, offering an engaging user experience, going beyond just showing paths on a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Verizon Media Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Maria Aiello, Daniele Quercia, Rossano Schifanella
  • Patent number: 11091898
    Abstract: A work vehicle control system includes an actual topography acquisition device and a controller. The actual topography acquisition device acquires actual topography information, which indicates an actual topography of a work target. The controller acquires the actual topography information from the actual topography acquisition device. The controller generates a command signal to move the work implement along a locus positioned above the target topography by a predetermined distance when the actual topography is positioned below the target topography of the work target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Ishibashi, Akifumi Inamaru, Seiji Nagano, Yosuke Kogawa
  • Patent number: 11084491
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a safety strategy in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense information about the outside of the vehicle, a memory storing road information, and a control circuit configured to be electrically connected with the sensor and the memory. The control circuit generates a route which is toward a shoulder included in a road where the vehicle is traveling, when a control authority transition demand of the vehicle is ignored, adjusts an operational condition of an automatic lane change based on at least a portion of a speed of the vehicle, a speed of a following vehicle in a target lane of the route, or a distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle, and performs the automatic lane change toward the shoulder along the route, when the adjusted operational condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ju Kim, Jae Yong Jeon, Dong Hwi Lee, Jin Su Jeong, Su Jung Yoo
  • Patent number: 11059462
    Abstract: A method, device and control system for controlling vehicle movement, including: reading-in the specification data from an interface with a generating apparatus, the vehicle having a vehicle movement control system having the generating apparatus for generating specification data for the vehicle movement, at least one providing apparatus for providing vehicle property(s) and an actuator element for influencing the vehicle movement, the specification data representing a driving corridor/speed profile for a route section, and the at least one vehicle property from an interface with the at least one providing apparatus; determining vehicle guide data using the specification data and the vehicle property(s), the guide data being for controlling the vehicle movement while complying with the specification data; acquiring at least one manipulated variable for the at least one actuator element using the guide data; and outputting the at least one manipulated variable to an interface with the actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Falk Hecker, Jan Mayer, Oliver Jundt, Ulrich Guecker, Adnan Mustapha, Juergen Steinberger
  • Patent number: 11061400
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle makes the vehicle travel without depending on operation of a shift operation apparatus by a driver, even in a case where a detection abnormality by which a shift operation position of the shift operation apparatus becomes indefinite has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koki Ueno
  • Patent number: 11055935
    Abstract: A data acquisition and recording system (DARS) and viewer for mobile assets that includes a data encoder, onboard data manager, and at least one local memory module. DARS processes video data from at least one 360 degree camera and stores a compressed record of the data at least once per second in the local memory module. DARS is designed to run in near real-time mode, storing a full record comprising five minutes of data to a remote memory module every five minutes, and in real-time mode, streaming video data to the remote memory module by uploading a record of data at least once per second and up to once every tenth of a second. Remotely located users can view video, audio, and data in various view modes through a web browser or virtual reality device, which provides for quicker emergency response, validate the effectiveness of repairs and rerouting, and monitor crew performance and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wi-Tronix, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence B. Jordan, Savankumar V. Patel, Bryan D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 11052923
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a human machine interface (1) for a vehicle (2). The human machine interface (1) includes a first output device (10) for outputting information relating to a vehicle system (VS). The human machine interface (1) includes a controller (3) having at least one processor (4) having an input for receiving a driver status signal (DSTAT). A memory device (5) is coupled to the at least one processor (4) and has instructions stored therein. The at least one processor (4) is configured to determine an operating state of said vehicle system (VS) and to control said first output device (10) to output information relating to the determined operating state. The at least one processor (4) is configured to compose the information to be output in dependence on the received driver status signal (DSTAT). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling the output of information relating to an operating state of a vehicle system (VS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Harpreet Singh
  • Patent number: 11046322
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a safety strategy in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense information about the outside of the vehicle, a memory storing road information, and a control circuit configured to be electrically connected with the sensor and the memory. The control circuit generates a route which is toward a shoulder included in a road where the vehicle is traveling, when a control authority transition demand of the vehicle is ignored, adjusts an operational condition of an automatic lane change based on at least a portion of a speed of the vehicle, a speed of a following vehicle in a target lane of the route, or a distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle, and performs the automatic lane change toward the shoulder along the route, when the adjusted operational condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ju Kim, Jae Yong Jeon, Dong Hwi Lee, Jin Su Jeong, Su Jung Yoo
  • Patent number: 11034411
    Abstract: A bicycle controller controls a motor in accordance with the riding environment of a bicycle. The bicycle controller includes an electronic control unit that is configured to control a motor that assists in propulsion of a bicycle in accordance with a manual driving force. The electronic control unit is further configured to sets a response speed of the motor with respect to a change in the manual driving force for a case in which a vehicle speed of the bicycle is less than or equal to a first speed to be different from the response speed for a case in which the vehicle speed of the bicycle exceeds the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Hiroshi Matsuda