Patents Examined by Richard M. Camby
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Patent number: 11845338Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes providing a piston engine. The piston engine includes a crankshaft and a torque sensor system. The torque sensor system includes at least one first rotary angle sensor and at least one second rotary angle sensor. The method further includes measuring a first and a second rotary angle in a spacing region and determining an angular offset between the first and the second rotary angle. The angular offset results from the torsion of the loaded crankshaft wherein the spacing region is limited along the crankshaft to an actual partial region of the spacing between the bearing journals. The partial region includes an actual subgroup of at least one of the number of offsets and the number of shaft journals, so that the angular offset is assigned to the actual subgroup.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbHInventors: Helmut Knabe, Horst Weidele, Aron Toth
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Patent number: 11844474Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame, a drive assembly supported by the frame, an electronic system supported by the frame, and a cleaning assembly coupled to the frame. The drive assembly is configured to move the frame along a surface. The cleaning assembly is configured to engage the surface to transfer detritus from the surface to a storage volume supported by the frame. The electronic system has at least a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to define a path along which the drive assembly travels and is configured to redefined a path along which the drive assembly travels based on at least one signal received from at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: AVIDBOTS CORP.Inventors: Faizan Sheikh, Pablo Roberto Molina Cabrera, Todd Willick, Julien D'Alessio-Doucet, Kenneth Lee
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Patent number: 11837096Abstract: A supercomputer, with traffic-modeling software and 5G/6G connectivity, can assist an autonomous vehicle in avoiding, or at least minimizing the expected harm of, an imminent collision. Upon detecting the imminent collision, the autonomous vehicle can transmit a message to an access point, requesting an uncontested direct communication link to the supercomputer, and then transfer sensor data and other traffic data to the supercomputer through the access point. The supercomputer can calculate a multitude of sequences of braking, steering, and accelerating actions of the autonomous vehicle, and can select the sequence that enables the autonomous vehicle to avoid the collision if possible. If all sequences cannot avoid the collision, the supercomputer can select the sequence that results in the least harm (fatalities, injuries, and property damage) in the unavoidable collision.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Inventors: David E. Newman, R. Kemp Massengill
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Patent number: 11837102Abstract: An aircraft defining an upright orientation and an inverted orientation, a ground station; and a control system for remotely controlling the flight of the aircraft. The ground station has an auto-land function that causes the aircraft to invert, stall, and controllably land in the inverted orientation to protect a payload and a rudder extending down from the aircraft. In the upright orientation, the ground station depicts the view from a first aircraft camera. When switching to the inverted orientation: (1) the ground station depicts the view from a second aircraft camera, (2) the aircraft switches the colors of red and green wing lights, extends the ailerons to act as inverted flaps, and (3) the control system adapts a ground station controller for the inverted orientation. The aircraft landing gear is an expanded polypropylene pad located above the wing when the aircraft is in the upright orientation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Fisher, Thomas Robert Szarek, Justin B. McAllister, Pavel Belik
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Patent number: 11829162Abstract: This specification describes systems for unmanned aerial vehicle carrying and deployment. In some examples, an unmanned vehicle includes a drive system and a chassis. The chassis includes a platform for carrying an unmanned aerial vehicle and a retainer configured to secure the unmanned aerial vehicle to the platform while the drive system drives the unmanned vehicle. The clamping system includes at least a first rotating bar and a protrusion from the first rotating bar.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Detection, Inc.Inventors: Elliott Forrest Leslie, Annan Michael Mozeika
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Patent number: 11825971Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising a receiving device (200) configured to receive a package (1) delivered via an airborne drone (100). The receiving device (200) includes a receptacle (201), an optical scanner (208), a transceiver (207), and at least one light emitter (204) in operative connection with a computer (203). The optical scanner (208) is operative to read optical indicia that includes a delivery code. The transceiver (207) is operative to receive a signal that includes a verification code and an encrypted one time code from the drone (100). If the verification code has a predetermined relationship with the delivery information, the computer (203) is operative to decrypt the one time code and to transmit an encrypted optical signal through the at least one light emitter (204) whereby the drone (100) is enabled to identify the receiving device (200) and to position the package (1) therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Inventor: Nikolaus Holzer
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Patent number: 11829748Abstract: Systems and method for safe over-the-air (OTA) update of electronic control units in vehicles are provided. The OTA server determines whether an operator terminal is close to a vehicle and if so, sends a request to the operator terminal requesting confirmation for proceeding with completing a firmware update for an electronic control unit in the vehicle. In response to receiving the confirmation, the OTA server sends a request to a telematics device coupled to the vehicle to complete the firmware update.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Puneet Sharma, William Keane Hickey, Artur Gyumushyan, Patrick Wojcik
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Patent number: 11822011Abstract: The technology relates to enhancing or extending the field of view of sensors for vehicles configured to operate in an autonomous driving mode. One or more mirrors are used to reflect or redirect beams emitted from onboard sensors that would otherwise be wasted, for instance due to obstruction by a portion of the vehicle or because they are emitted at high pitch angles to the side. The mirrors are also used to redirect incoming beams from the external environment toward one or more of the onboard sensors. Using mirrors for such redirection can reduce or eliminate blind spots around the vehicle. A calibration system may be employed to account for mirror movement due to vibration or wind drag. Each mirror may be a front surface mirror. The mirrors may be positioned on the vehicle body, on a faring, or extending from a sensor housing on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: Mingcheng Chen, Benjamin Pitzer, Pierre-Yves Droz, William Grossman
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Patent number: 11822849Abstract: A display control device for a vehicle is provided. The display control device includes a processor configured to display a primary plan on a first display and a secondary plan on a second display. The primary plan is to be performed next after a vehicle action currently being performed, and the secondary plan is to be performed subsequently to the primary plan. The first display may be provided on an upper side of the second display. The first display may be a head-up display, and the second display may be a meter panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshinori Yamada, Masaki Ito
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Patent number: 11814128Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch, and a third electrical switch. The base member is configured to be coupled to a handlebar of the human-powered vehicle. The first electrical switch is configured to receive a first user input indicating upshifting of a first gear changing device. The second electrical switch is configured to receive a second user input indicating downshifting of the first gear changing device. The third electrical switch is configured to alternately receive a third user input and a third additional user input. The third user input indicates upshifting of a second gear changing device. The third additional user input indicates downshifting of the second gear changing device.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kazuya Kuwayama
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Patent number: 11814191Abstract: A monitoring system, a base station, and a control method thereof are provided. The monitoring system includes a drone and a base station. The drone includes a main body and at least two leg holders extending from the main body. The base station includes a platform and a positioning mechanism. The platform has a horizontal plate, and the drone is placed on the platform. The positioning mechanism includes at least two movement members. The movement members are movably disposed on the platform and movable between a first position and a second position. When the movement members are located at the second position, the movement members hold and fix the leg holders of the drone, each of the leg holders forms an inclined angle with respect to the horizontal plate, and the inclined angle is less than 90 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Coretronic Intelligent Robotics CorporationInventors: Hsu-Chih Cheng, Ying-Chieh Chen, Chi-Tong Hsieh, I-Ta Yang
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Patent number: 11808598Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing directions haptically such that sight and hearing can continue unimpeded. In one exemplary embodiment, a wearable device (such as earphones, ear rings, gloves, glasses, or other wearable objects) configured as disclosed herein receives directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action. The wearable device has multiple haptic output units and generates, through one of those units, a haptic output based on the directions. This allows the user to receive the directions through touch rather than looking at their mobile device or from audio.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Inventor: Ryan Thomas Ward
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Patent number: 11802025Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control workstation for controlling more than one type of load handling equipment. The remote control workstation is configured for communications with a plurality of types of load handling equipment and configured to cause connecting to one of said load handling equipment, determining a type of the connected load handling equipment, and in response to establishing a connection between the remote control workstation and said load handling equipment, displaying on a user interface of the remote control workstation a load handling equipment type specific control view from a plurality of load handling equipment type specific control views in accordance with a load handling equipment type of said load handling equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Cargotec Finland OyInventors: Ville-Pekka Kärki, Marko Lehto, Timo Lehto, Tapio Piipari, Antti Sutela, Tomi Tuulkari, Tomi Uusitalo
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Patent number: 11787669Abstract: A processor is configured to set a monitoring region including at least a part of a movable region of a work device outside a vehicle, and a detection device is configured to detect information on the vicinity of the vehicle. Here, the processor is configured to, when it is determined that an obstacle has entered the monitoring region or it is predicted that an obstacle will enter the monitoring region based on a detection result of the detection device and when a work mode is not an emergency mode, control the work device such that the work device switches the work mode to the emergency mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Kiyokami
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Patent number: 11772644Abstract: A damage reduction device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an input unit, a prediction unit, a recognition unit, and a determination unit. The input unit inputs status data regarding a status in a moving direction of a moving body apparatus. The prediction unit predicts a collision with an object in the moving direction on the basis of the status data. The recognition unit recognizes whether the object includes a person. The determination unit determines, when the collision with the object is predicted and it is recognized that the object includes a person, a steering direction of the moving body apparatus in which a collision with the person is avoidable, on the basis of the status data.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Sony Group CorporationInventors: Hideki Oyaizu, Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Suguru Aoki, Taketo Akama
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Patent number: 11772668Abstract: A design method for a vehicle control system includes designing in such a manner that an allowable delay time that is allowed from when operation information is input to an information acquisition unit to when a control signal of an actuator to be operated is output is set in the actuator, and in a case where the allowable delay time is less than a predetermined reference time, an operation-signal generation unit of the actuator is provided in a zone ECU disposed in each predetermined zone of a vehicle and to which the actuator to be operated is connected.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshimasa Kurokawa, Tetsuhiro Yamashita
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Patent number: 11774247Abstract: A method for generating intermediate waypoints for a navigation system of a robot includes receiving a navigation route. The navigation route includes a series of high-level waypoints that begin at a starting location and end at a destination location and is based on high-level navigation data. The high-level navigation data is representative of locations of static obstacles in an area the robot is to navigate. The method also includes receiving image data of an environment about the robot from an image sensor and generating at least one intermediate waypoint based on the image data. The method also includes adding the at least one intermediate waypoint to the series of high-level waypoints of the navigation route and navigating the robot from the starting location along the series of high-level waypoints and the at least one intermediate waypoint toward the destination location.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Gina Christine Fay, Alfred Rizzi
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Patent number: 11767093Abstract: A control device of a marine propulsion device, which has an engine and a propeller and is mounted on a hull. The control device includes a processor, and a non-transitory storage medium having program instructions stored thereon. The execution of the program instructions by the processor causes the control device to acquire a rotation speed of the engine or a rotation speed of the propeller, acquire a torque of the engine, acquire a speed of the hull, and determine whether a ventilation of the engine has occurred based on at least two among the acquired rotation speed, the acquired engine torque, and the acquired hull speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Inoue
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Patent number: 11766942Abstract: An extended-range fuel cell electric vehicle power device includes a driving motor, a bidirectional converter, a chopper, a power cell, a fuel cell, a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank, an electric control valve, a controller, an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. An output of the driving motor is connected to a transmission shaft of an electric vehicle through a speed change gearbox, and an input of the driving motor is connected to an alternating current output end of the bidirectional converter; a direct current input end of the bidirectional converter is connected in parallel to an output of the power cell and an output of the chopper, and an input of the chopper is connected to a power source output of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: NANJING XIAOZHUANG UNIVERSITYInventors: Yuzheng Lu, Senlin Yan, Ligang Ma
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Patent number: 11760319Abstract: Vehicles according to at least some embodiments of the disclosure include a sensor, and a computing device comprising at least one hardware processing unit. The computing device is programmed to perform operations comprising capturing an image with the sensor, identifying an object in the image, and in response to an accuracy of the identification meeting a first criterion, pre-loading a braking system of the autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the computing device may predict that an object not currently within a path of the vehicle has a probability of entering the path of the vehicle that meets a second criterion. When the probability of entering the path meets the second criterion, some of the disclosed embodiments may pre-load the braking system.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: UATC, LLCInventors: Mark Calleija, Eyal Cohen, Kenneth James Jensen, Randol Aikin, Brian Neil