Patents Examined by Richard M. Camby
  • Patent number: 11302124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for evaluating a vehicle, a device and a computer readable storage medium. The method includes: determining driving information of the vehicle in an automatic driving mode, the driving information including at least one of trip information, power consumption information and driver state of the vehicle in the automatic driving mode; determining usage situation of the vehicle in the automatic driving mode based on the driving information; and providing the usage situation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: APOLLO INTELLIGENT CONNECTIVITY (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qiuyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11299154
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a user interface for platooning in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a touch screen display, a communication circuit that communicates with the outside, and a control circuit electrically connected with the touch screen display and the communication circuit. The control circuit displays a first object corresponding to the vehicle and a second object corresponding to an outside vehicle included in a platooning group on the touch screen display and receives a touch input associated with the first object and the second object using the touch screen display. The vehicle is thus operated to adjust a distance between the vehicle and the outside vehicle in response to the touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 11300978
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product is provided for transporting an unmanned vehicle to a destination location. The method includes determining a ground vehicle from a plurality of ground vehicles based on a location of the ground vehicle, the destination location, and a location of the unmanned vehicle, controlling the unmanned vehicle to the location of the ground vehicle, controlling at least one attachment mechanism to attach the unmanned vehicle to the ground vehicle, in response to the ground vehicle traveling to a second location, controlling the at least one attachment mechanism to detach the unmanned vehicle from the ground vehicle, and controlling the unmanned vehicle to the destination location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventor: Constantinos Samaras
  • Patent number: 11295623
    Abstract: A method may include receiving, using at least one processor, location information that includes a location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); querying, using the at least one processor, a policy database to retrieve a notification condition for a first property with respect to UAVs; calculating, using the at least one processor, a distance between the UAV and the first property using the received location information determining, using the at least one processor, if the distance of the UAV with respect to the first property is within a range defined in the notification condition for the first property; and transmitting, using the at least one processor, a notification to a party associated with the first property when the distance of the UAV with respect to the first property is within the range defined in the notification condition for the first property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rita H. Wouhaybi, Hong Li, Tobias Kohlenberg, Igor Tatourian
  • Patent number: 11285927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Calleija, Eyal Cohen, Kenneth James Jensen, Randol Aikin, Brian Neil
  • Patent number: 11275388
    Abstract: Alerting systems and methods for an enhanced approach monitor are provided. The system is configured to: determine a missed approach altitude (MAA), an intended configuration, and target approach speed, each being related to the intended approach procedure and aircraft specific data. At a decision point defined as a co-occurrence of (a) the RT distance is substantially equal to or less than a distance threshold, and (b) the RT altitude is substantially equal to the MAA, the system identifies go-around scenarios, such as when (i) the RT speed exceeds the target approach speed, or (ii) the RT configuration is not equal to the intended configuration, or (iii) an RT approach path angle exceeds the target angle. The system issues a go-around alert based on whether the aircraft can perform a go-around operation, as determined based on aircraft performance data and terrain data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ratan Khatwa, Yasuo Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11273819
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation in a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with stop/start capabilities under conditions where requested power or torque is in a hysteresis region between an engine pull up threshold and an engine pull down threshold. In one example, a method comprises obtaining an adjusted engine pull down threshold upon the requested power or torque remaining in the hysteresis region for more than a threshold duration, and commanding the engine deactivated in response to the adjusted engine pull down threshold being equivalent to the requested power or torque. In this way, a motor/generator may be used to meet the requested torque response rather than the engine under such conditions, which may improve fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alec Bolthouse, Minku Lee
  • Patent number: 11267449
    Abstract: A motorcycle, including method and control unit for controlling an active steering influence system, which is for actively influencing steering motions on a front wheel. A driver assistance system is for effectuating, with control instructions to components of the motorcycle, longitudinal accelerations. The driver assistance and active steering influence systems are for a signal communication with each other, e.g., via lines. The driver assistance system is for outputting, before/while outputting a control instruction, a signal instruction to the active steering influence system so that the active steering influence system, via an active modification of its state, counters a change of a movement direction, which is associated with the longitudinal acceleration to be effectuated with the control instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mathieu Grelaud, Michael Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 11268816
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gina Christine Fay, Alfred Rizzi
  • Patent number: 11260757
    Abstract: A method for assisting a power-intensive driving maneuver of an ego vehicle propelled by an electric motor fed from an energy-storage device includes predicting a power-intensive driving maneuver of the ego vehicle, ascertaining a peak-power profile that is needed for a complete execution of the predicted driving maneuver, and determining an available propulsive power of the ego vehicle. The method further includes ascertaining whether the available propulsive power is sufficient for the peak-power profile and, if the available propulsive power is sufficient for the peak-power profile, indicating a recommendation for execution of the predicted driving maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Degand, Pablo Fritzsche, Alexander Kowallik, Boris Zuev
  • Patent number: 11256462
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a projection device that is provided on a vehicle cabin interior side of a front windshield glass in a vehicle, and displays information by projecting projection light so that this information appears superimposed on scenery visible in front of the vehicle, a display device that is provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle, and displays information towards a vehicle occupant seat side, and a display control unit that, of planned actions acquired from a self-driving control unit that controls self-driving of the vehicle, causes a planned action that is to be performed next after a vehicle action currently being performed to be displayed as a primary planned action by the projection device, and also causes planned actions that are to be performed subsequently to the primary planned action to be displayed as secondary planned actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yamada, Masaki Ito
  • Patent number: 11254307
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Oyaizu, Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Suguru Aoki, Taketo Akama
  • Patent number: 11250649
    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: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Palmer, Slaven Sljivar
  • Patent number: 11249197
    Abstract: A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive a first estimated position of the device at a first time. The at least one processor is further configured to capture, using an image sensor of the device, images during a time period defined by the first time and a second time, and determine, based on the images, a second estimated position of the device, the second estimated position being relative to the first estimated position. The at least one processor is further configured to receive a third estimated position of the device at the second time, and estimate a location of the device based on the second estimated position and the third estimated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hyojoon Bae, Isaac T. Miller, Robert W. Mayor
  • Patent number: 11220271
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply apparatus includes first and second power supply systems, first and second switches, and a fail-safe controller. The second power supply system includes a generator motor coupled to an engine, and a second electrical energy accumulator able to be coupled to the generator motor. The fail-safe controller inhibits a powering state of the motor generator on the condition that the second switch is in a malfunctioning state in which the second switch is rendered inoperative in a second turn-off state. The second turn-off state includes isolating the generator motor and the second electrical energy accumulator from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11221816
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a projection device that is provided on a vehicle cabin interior side of a front windshield glass in a vehicle, and displays information by projecting projection light so that this information appears superimposed on scenery visible in front of the vehicle, a display device that is provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle, and displays information towards a vehicle occupant seat side, and a display control unit that, of planned actions acquired from a self-driving control unit that controls self-driving of the vehicle, causes a planned action that is to be performed next after a vehicle action currently being performed to be displayed as a primary planned action by the projection device, and also causes planned actions that are to be performed subsequently to the primary planned action to be displayed as secondary planned actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yamada, Masaki Ito
  • Patent number: 11215466
    Abstract: Implementations of various methods and systems to transform navigation routes with two waypoints or a destination waypoint or a series sequence of waypoints into objects which have associated price-time priority queues for transformed transportation units. The present disclosed invention relates to combining the concepts of objected oriented programming, market price queues, navigation systems and social networking and transportation as a fungible asset class or transportation as an open market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: CirclesX LLC
    Inventor: Erik M Simpson
  • Patent number: 11210870
    Abstract: A first controller receives a diagnostic recommendation from a cloud server. A second controller, in communication with the first controller over a vehicle bus, responsive to occurrence of a vehicle condition triggering execution of an on-board diagnostic (OBD) monitor, suspends the execution of the OBD monitor while the vehicle is within a region specified by the diagnostic recommendation. Locations in diagnostic result data are correlated to identify clusters of locations that include at least a predetermined number of executions of an on-board diagnostic (OBD) monitor. Responsive to a predicted probability of success of execution of the OBD monitor for one of the clusters of locations computed using the diagnostic result data being below an enablement threshold, a message is sent to a vehicle suspending further executions of the OBD monitor at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Fling Tseng
  • Patent number: 11209286
    Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Polaris Industies Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Koenig, Daren W. Herman, John W. Callahan, Todd L. Frostad, Christopher G. Wolf, William C. Fisher, Kim A. Weckert, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Adam C. Koosmann, Gary L. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 11200765
    Abstract: A luggage delivery system contains a sensor array and is configured to locate a receiving user using navigation data and, upon finding the receiving user, request identifying information from the receiving user, compare received identifying information to verifying information received from a remote computing device and/or control module, and, upon verifying that a receiving user is the designated receiving user, unlock to grant the receiving user access to the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: LINGDONG TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO. LTD
    Inventor: Chiung Lin Chen