Patents Examined by Richard M. Camby
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Patent number: 11427317Abstract: A vehicle includes a platform disposed on the roof of the vehicle for landing/launching an autonomously free-flying drone where the drone is set up and designed to receive/deliver and transport an object. A first device determines a current position of the platform and/or the vehicle and a communication device directly or indirectly transmits data from the vehicle to the drone. The communication device transmits at least the current position of the platform and/or the vehicle to the drone.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Benjamin Kuehn, Martin Schmidt, Thomas Wurdig
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Patent number: 11420740Abstract: A device for the automated charging and discharging of an object on a free-flying autonomously controlled drone includes a landing platform for the drone, a storage device for storing objects, a robot where the robot is configured to remove an object from the storage apparatus in an automated manner and to provide the object on the landing platform to be picked up by the drone and is configured to pick up in an automated manner an object that is provided on the landing platform by the drone and to deposit the object in the storage apparatus, and a controller where the robot is controllable by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Marcel Braun, Uwe Habisreitinger
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Patent number: 11423813Abstract: A combination for performing work in a household environment includes a device with a performance unit for performing the work, a moving apparatus for moving the device on a surface, a control unit for controlling the moving apparatus for autonomous maneuvering on the surface, and a visualization component, wherein the visualization component includes a two-dimensional or three-dimensional visualization element in a shape of a human, an animal, a plant, a household object, a fantasy figure, a moving apparatus, in particular a vehicle, an airplane, or a ship, and wherein the visualization element is at least partially formed by a light projection and/or as an inflatable unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Institut Fur Rundfunktechnik GMBHInventor: Mark Guelbahar
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Patent number: 11420519Abstract: Provided is a movable system including a movable body to be used by a plurality of users, and a server device. When the server device receives identification information of a user from the movable body, the server device acquires setting information to set the form of the movable body based on the identification information of the user and transmits it to the movable body. The movable body includes a form changing unit configured to change the outer shape or the appearance of the movable body based on the setting information thus received.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masato Endo, Katsuhiko Yourou, Shunji Tateishi, Nobukatsu Fujishita
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Patent number: 11414151Abstract: An operating system for a human-powered vehicle comprises a first operating device and a controller. The first operating device is configured to output a first control signal. The controller is configured to determine whether the first operating device meets a first predetermined condition. The controller is configured to assign, if the first operating device meets the first predetermined condition, an additional electric device a function of the first operating device so that the additional electric device outputs the first control signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yasuyuki Komada, Kazuya Kuwayama
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Patent number: 11414002Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for high-traffic density air transportation. An example system includes a land vehicle having a first location and a transit carrier having a movement system, first stacking couplers, a first and second magnetic coupler, and a transit pod having second stacking couplers configured to couple to the first stacking couplers, a UAV having UAV couplers and a second location, and a controller to, in response to obtaining a request to direct the land vehicle to move from the first location to a third location, invoke the UAV to move to the third location, and in response to the land vehicle and the UAV arriving at the third location, invoke the UAV to couple to the transit pod to facilitate transport of the transit pod from the third location to a fourth location by coupling the UAV couplers to the second stacking couplers.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Kenneth H. Griess, Joseph Lawrence Hafenrichter
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Patent number: 11414080Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a display configured to display information, an inputter to which a user's operation is input, a driving controller configured to control at least one of a speed and steering of a vehicle, a determiner configured to determine a lane in which the vehicle is present when a first operation that allows a lane change by the vehicle is input to the inputter as a reference lane, and a display controller that is configured to cause the display to display a first image depicting a road on which the vehicle is present and a second image depicting the reference lane which are superimposed.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Daichi Kato, Nozomu Hirosawa, Yuma Yoshida
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Patent number: 11391820Abstract: 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: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Waymo L LCInventors: Mingcheng Chen, Benjamin Pitzer, Pierre-Yves Droz, William Grossman
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Patent number: 11390357Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a human-powered vehicle component included in a human-powered vehicle in accordance with a human driving force. The electronic controller controls the human-powered vehicle component in accordance with a first value and a second value. The first value relates to the human driving force or a driving force of the human-powered vehicle obtained using a first sensor. The second value relates to the human driving force or the driving force of the human-powered vehicle obtained using a second sensor, which differs from the first sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
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Patent number: 11385064Abstract: A method and platform for improving one or more commutes comprises gathering data about one or more metrics of at least one user's commute; analyzing one or more alternate types of commutes available to the at least one user; generating, based on the data about one or more metrics and the analysis of the one or more alternate types of commutes available, one or more recommendations to the at least one user comprising at least one of the one or more alternate types of commutes.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Inventors: Rich Schmelzer, Esteban Sanchez
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Patent number: 11383701Abstract: An obstacle avoiding guidance system includes a processing device and a guidance device. The processing device sets a movement range in a certain field. The guidance device is disposed on a vehicle and has a detection module, a positioning module, and a calculation module. The detection module detects the current position of the user. The positioning module detects the current position of the vehicle and generates a position signal. The calculation module compares the position signal with the movement range for controlling the vehicle to follow the user in the movement range. Therefore, the vehicle is prevented from entering an improper area and able to effectively follow the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Inventor: Ching Meng
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Patent number: 11380207Abstract: A system and method of positioning a set of vehicles (102) with respect to an object (104) and a set of targets (106). Embodiments can generate (302) an isovist using data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the object and use it to compute (304) an estimated position of each target with respect to the object. Embodiments can compute (306) a plurality of positions for each vehicle based on the estimated positions of the targets, with each position having an associated value representing a number of the targets at their estimated positions that are within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle at that position. Embodiments can select (308) a subset of the positions based on the associated values, and position (310) the set of vehicles based on the selected subset of the positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventors: John Paterson Bookless, Markus Deittert
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Patent number: 11377093Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of an exhaust tuning valve during vehicle-off conditions. In one example, the engine may be reverse rotated, unfueled while the position of the exhaust is varied and an intake air flow is estimated at each position of the exhaust tuning valve. The exhaust tuning valve may be diagnosed based on a change in air flow with the variation in the position of the exhaust tuning valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Aed M. Dudar
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Patent number: 11378958Abstract: Systems and methods navigate a vehicle on a road at least partially covered with snow. In one implementation, a system may include at least one processor programmed to receive from an image capture device, a plurality of images captured of an environment forward of the vehicle, including an area where snow covers a road on which the vehicle travels, analyze at least one of the plurality of images to identify a first free space boundary on a first side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, a second free space boundary on a passenger side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, and a forward free space boundary forward of the vehicle and extending between the first free space boundary and the second free space boundary.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventors: Amnon Shashua, Yoram Gdalyahu, Ofer Springer, Aran Reisman, Daniel Braunstein
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Patent number: 11372412Abstract: A system and method for steering a vessel includes correction by calibration with respect to displacement between a tilt direction of a joystick and a moving direction of the vessel. When receiving a command to start the calibration, a controller performs a calibration for right and left propulsion devices such that a tilt direction of a joystick is matched with a moving direction of a vessel. When performing a subsequent calibration, the controller additionally performs the calibration for the right and left propulsion devices to which the calibration has been previously applied.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kohei Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 11372410Abstract: A drone autonomously operates to track an object, track an object while being stealthy 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. A drone may operate so that the sound intensity level caused by the operation of the drone is less than or equal to a sound intensity level threshold as perceived by an object (e.g., person, target, suspect) being tracked.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.Inventor: Will A. Egner
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Patent number: 11372444Abstract: An in-vehicle infotainment IVI apparatus, a terminal device, and a vehicle are provided. The IVI apparatus includes a management module. The management module is configured to: obtain component information of each of at least one IVI component, where the component information includes an internet protocol address; and send the component information of each component to the terminal device, so that the terminal device communicates with the at least one IVI component based on the information about each IVI component. According to the IVI apparatus, the terminal device, and the vehicle, the IVI component can be controlled by using the terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Gaofeng Du, Yongzhe Li
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Patent number: 11366469Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomously driven vehicle frame with a retractable pivot mechanism disposed on a platform surface of the vehicle frame. Changeable utility pods are configured to attach to and be removed from the vehicle frame by way of the retractable pivot mechanism onboard the frame, and autonomously change the vehicle from a passenger transport to a logistics transport by changing utility pods. A processor provides autonomous vehicle operations that include extending the retractable pivot mechanism from a retracted position recessed in the platform surface of the vehicle frame to an extended position that engages a utility pod conveyor channel. The retractable pivot mechanism engages a conveyor channel disposed on a mating surface of a utility pod, and conveys the utility pod along the conveyor channel to a centered and laterally-aligned position on the vehicle frame by rotating the pod into position once centered over the pivot mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Kuo, Joseph Ian Halaszynski, Edmund He, Chelsia Ka Po Lau, Quran Buchanan
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Patent number: 11366474Abstract: A zone in which a vessel is movable is expanded in a transverse moving mode using a joystick. When a tilt direction of a joystick is within a second range closer to a back-and-forth direction than a first range, a controller sets a steering angle of a right propulsion device and a left propulsion device such that the right and left propulsion devices are oriented bilaterally opposite to each other such that each is slanted at a predetermined angle with respect to the back-and-forth direction. The controller sets both the right and left propulsion devices to either a forward moving state or a rearward moving state. The controller controls a propulsive force of the right propulsion device and the left propulsion device such that a net force of the propulsive forces of the right and left propulsion devices is oriented in a direction corresponding to the tilt direction of the joystick.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kohei Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 11358470Abstract: A method for operating a display device for a motor vehicle, in particular for an autonomously or partially autonomously operable motor vehicle, which includes a plurality of display areas, wherein a display area is selected from the plurality of display areas on the basis of a configuration of the motor vehicle that is adjustable by a driver of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle includes a control device for implementing such a method.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.Inventors: Romeo Wieczorek, Stefanie Göttlicher, Ilka Rötzer