Patents Examined by Russell Frejd
  • Patent number: 11573562
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for new paradigms for user interaction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (referred to as a flying digital assistant or FDA) using a portable multifunction device (PMD) such as smart phone. In some embodiments, a magic wand user interaction paradigm is described for intuitive control of an FDA using a PMD. In other embodiments, methods for scripting a shot are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Bachrach, Adam Bry, Matthew Donahoe
  • Patent number: 11572081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a self-propelled motor vehicle having a plurality of control units and a plurality of program codes for controlling the function of autonomous driving and possibly other functions of the self-propelled vehicle, wherein a plurality of program codes used for an autonomous driving mode are redundantly applied to at least two different control units. In doing so, the self-propelled motor vehicle is operated in an at least partially autonomous driving mode. In this mode, the functions directly needed to satisfy the passenger's wishes are ascertained and weighted corresponding to their relevance for satisfying the passenger's wishes. In so doing, the functions, or the scope of functions, are released depending on the achievement of a target achievement level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Tobias Kain, Maximilian Wesche, Hendrik Decke, Julian-Steffen Müller, Fabian Plinke, Andreas Braasch, Johannes Heinrich, Timo Horeis
  • Patent number: 11565720
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to enhance the situational competency of a vehicle, when operating at least partially in an autonomous mode, and/or the safe operation of a vehicle, when operating at least partially in an autonomous mode. Such systems, methods, and computer program products are to facilitate operation of a vehicle, when operating at least partially in an autonomous mode, in a multi-lane roadway environment to coordinate a change of lane of the autonomous vehicle from a first lane in which the autonomous vehicle is currently operating and a target lane change area of a second lane. Such coordination is to dynamically take into consideration several operational safety factors within the driving environment, including the presence of one or more vehicles in a third lane adjacent to the target lane area of the second lane and the geometric roadway design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Trenton B. Lindholm
  • Patent number: 11560850
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting an abnormal start of a gas turbine engine are described. Speed data points are sampled from a sensor associated with the engine in accordance with a sampling rate, the speed data points being indicative of a rotational speed of a gas generator of the engine during engine start. The speed data points are continuously stored during the engine start. Previously-obtained speed data points which are older than an abnormal start delay are discarded. An abnormal engine start event is detected by comparing a first one of the stored speed data points with a second one of the stored speed data points, the second one of the stored speed data points obtained before the first one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Farzad Baghernezhad, Antoine Pierre
  • Patent number: 11560084
    Abstract: When a first driver setting mode indicates an “OFF mode” or an “AUTO mode,” a VP accepts a light operation mode request from an ADK. When an operation is performed by a user, the VP changes an operation mode of a headlight in accordance with the operation by the user. When the operation by the user has not been performed, the VP changes the operation mode of the headlight in accordance with the light operation mode request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eisuke Ando
  • Patent number: 11560151
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a recording device configured to record vehicle information in files. The recording device includes: an event information receiving unit configured to receive information about prescribed events; a tag providing unit configured to provide protection tags to the files, the protection tags being of different types according to magnitude of the events; and an overwriting setting unit configured to prohibit overwriting of the files provided with the protection tags of a same type in a case where the number of the files provided with the protection tags of the same type is within a prescribed upper limit number, and to permit the overwriting of the files provided with the protection tags of the same type in a case where the number of the files provided with the protection tags of the same type exceeds the upper limit number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kishimoto, Yoshifumi Nakamura, Noriyuki Imaeda, Daiki Higuchi, Jun Ishii
  • Patent number: 11562456
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intelligent port control system and related systems and apparatuses, capable of achieving fully automated ship loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING TUSEN ZHITU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chao Yan
  • Patent number: 11548542
    Abstract: The method can include: creating a platoon; maintaining a platoon; responding to a platoon event; and separating a platoon. However, the method can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate cooperative transportation (platooning) of a plurality of payloads by way of the cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Parallel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Soule, John Howard, Benjamin Stuart Stabler
  • Patent number: 11551554
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for coordinating the movement of assets at transfer hubs includes determining one or more assets to move from a first location associated with a transfer hub. The method also includes assigning a jockey to move the one or more assets to a second location associated with the transfer hub based at least in part on an availability of the jockey. The method further includes directing the jockey to move the one or more assets from the first location to the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Alden James Woodrow, Alan Hugh Wells, Maxwell MacGavin Pike
  • Patent number: 11550340
    Abstract: An approach is provided for dynamic obstacle data in a collision probability map. The approach, for example, involves monitoring a flight of an aerial vehicle through a three-dimensional (3D) space that is partitioned into 3D shapes of varying resolutions. The approach also involves detecting an entry of the aerial vehicle into one 3D shape of the plurality of 3D shapes. The approach further involves, on detecting an exit of the aerial vehicle form the one 3D shape, recording a 3D shape identifier (ID) of the one 3D shape and at least one of a first timestamp indicating the entry, a second timestamp indicating the exit, a duration of stay in the one 3D shape, dimensions of the aerial vehicle, or a combination thereof as a dynamic obstacle observation record. The approach further involves transmitting the dynamic obstacle observation record to another device (e.g., a server for creating the collision probability map).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventors: Raul Cajias, Daniel Rolf
  • Patent number: 11549813
    Abstract: Transmitting route data captured by a traveling vehicle to a remote database includes capturing route data records having route data and a location and time of capture. The captured route data records are stored in a memory of the vehicle and are sent to the database. A route data message is sent at a time randomly selected within a first time interval after the capture of the route data and/or when the vehicle has left a predetermined radius around the location of capture of the route data. The messages can be sent directly to the database, or via a minimum number of intermediate receivers posing as the origin of the data to the respective receiver of a transmission from them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Lindemann, Hueseyin Daglioglu
  • Patent number: 11542109
    Abstract: A loading vehicle detects the position of a receiving vehicle relative to the loading vehicle and determines whether the receiving vehicle is to be repositioned. If so, it sends a repositioning message to the receiving vehicle and receives acknowledgement that the loading vehicle has remote control of the positioning mechanisms in the receiving vehicle. A loading vehicle operator input is detected and a position control signal is sent to the receiving vehicle to reposition it relative to the loading vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Francois Stander, Michael J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11541919
    Abstract: A system and method for automating workflow and performing root cause analysis for enforcement events is presented. The system can enable accurate detection of an enforcement event and identifies the root cause of such events. The system can provide a user with an interface to monitor the enforcement event by collecting a list of data characterizing the enforcement event, as well as analyze the data to evaluate what is the root cause of the enforcement event. The system can extract critical information from train system logs of the train using an extraction model to generate a window of activity providing an analysis model with a comprehensive scope to analyze the enforcement event. The system can give the user robust and accurate information of the root cause of the enforcement event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Alan Neal, Jr., Siju Pallimolel Kuriakose
  • Patent number: 11541893
    Abstract: A system for estimating the friction between a road surface and a tire of a vehicle includes at least one first sensor and at least one vehicle processing device containing a friction estimation algorithm which is arranged to estimate the friction between the road surface and the tire of the vehicle based on friction related measurements is provided. The vehicle processing device is arranged to: receive an estimate of the expected friction between the road surface and the tire of the vehicle from a central processing device, from a storage device in the vehicle, or from at least one second sensor in the vehicle; adapt the friction estimation algorithm based on said received estimate of the expected friction; receive at least one friction related measurement from the at least one first sensor in the vehicle; and use the adapted friction estimation algorithm to perform an estimation of the friction between the road surface and the tire of the vehicle based on the at least one friction related measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Nira Dynamics AB
    Inventors: Gustav Kristiansson, Tobias Hammarling, Per Magnusson
  • Patent number: 11541857
    Abstract: In the case that the road surface is determined to have different friction coefficients on the left and right wheels, this braking control device performs antiskid control for adjusting the increase slope of front wheel braking torque on the side with the higher friction coefficient. A steering angle sensor detects the steering angle, and a yaw rate sensor detects the yaw rate. The device calculates a reference turning amount on the basis of the steering angle, calculates an actual turning amount on the basis of the yaw rate, and sets the increase slope on the basis of the deviation between the reference turning amount and the actual turning amount. Also, if this deviation becomes larger, a correction is made such that the set increase slope becomes smaller. Further, if the deviation becomes smaller, a correction is made such that the set increase slope becomes larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Terasaka, Chisa Kitahara
  • Patent number: 11537906
    Abstract: A method for localizing a target object may include applying, to a first image captured by an apparatus, a first machine learning model trained to determine whether the target object is visible in the first image depicting a first region of a search area. In response to the target object being absent from the first image, a second machine learning model may be applied to identify, based on the target object as being visible and/or nonvisible in one or more portions of the first image, a second region of the search area corresponding to a sub-region within the first region of the search area having a highest probability of including the target object. A command may be sent to the apparatus to navigate the apparatus to the second region of the search area in order to capture a second image of the second region of the search area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tara Javidi, Yongxi Lu, Zeyangyi Wang
  • Patent number: 11530528
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting tripping of ground engaging tools on an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool coupled to an implement frame. Furthermore, the system may include a motion sensor installed on the implement frame, with the motion sensor configured to capture data indicative of motion of the implement frame. Moreover, the system may include a controller configured to monitor the motion of the implement frame based on the data received from the motion sensor. In addition, the controller may be further configured to determine when the ground engaging tool has tripped based on the monitored motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Joshua David Harmon
  • Patent number: 11529977
    Abstract: The present invention comprises radar detection of rail car truck assembly features to determine the presence of a rail vehicle comprising a car, axle count of the vehicle, and the travel direction of and speed of a rail car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Diane Albert
  • Patent number: 11528330
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for upgrading a vehicle's functionality based on the manner in which the vehicle is operated. A predefined operating condition of the vehicle that can be assisted by a vehicle feature not presently provided by the vehicle is identified. Thereafter, a notification is communicated to a user interface that indicates availability of the vehicle feature. Subsequently, the vehicle is upgraded to provide the vehicle feature responsive to input to the user interface submitting a request to perform the upgrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke, Danielle Rosenblatt, Anthony Melatti
  • Patent number: 11518397
    Abstract: When a driver is not in pedal erroneous operation inducing situation and a rate of change in an operation amount of an accelerator pedal is equal to or greater than a first erroneous operation determination threshold value, a driving assistance apparatus determines that operation of the accelerator pedal is erroneous operation. When the driver is in the pedal erroneous operation inducing situation and the rate of change in the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is equal to or greater than a second erroneous operation determination threshold value, the riving assistance apparatus determines that the operation of the accelerator pedal is the erroneous operation, and the second erroneous operation determination threshold value is smaller than the first erroneous operation determination threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Tochigi, Yuta Ikezawa, Shogo Ito