Patents Examined by Sean P Quinn
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Patent number: 11127303Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle scheduling method and apparatus, a device and a storage medium, wherein the method comprises: obtaining a travel request sent by a user; determining a first to-be-selected area according to a starting position carried in the travel request; looking up to find manned vehicles which are located in the first to-be-selected area and in a free state, and broadcasting an order to the found manned vehicles; if no drivers take the order, determining a second to-be-selected area according to the starting position; looking up to find autonomous vehicles which are located in a second to-be-selected area and in a free state; selecting one from the found autonomous vehicles and scheduling said one autonomous vehicle to the user. The solution of the present disclosure can be applied to improve the user's travel efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Tao Liu
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Patent number: 11117575Abstract: A driving assistance control system of a vehicle includes a needed information acquisition unit configured to acquire needed information for calculating a target path, a target path deciding unit configured to decide the target path based on the needed information, a vehicle traveling controller configured to perform a path following control for controlling a traveling device of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows the target path, and a system limit identification unit configured to identify a likelihood of reaching a system limit at which the path following control becomes unsuccessful. The system limit identification unit includes a determination model that learns a relationship between a plurality of vehicle feature amounts and the likelihood of reaching the system limit by machine learning in advance, and outputs an identification result of the likelihood of reaching the system limit corresponding to the input vehicle feature amounts using the determination model.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Ryo Irie, Yoji Kunihiro, Hisaya Akatsuka
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Patent number: 11067985Abstract: Method, system, and computer product for operating a self-driving vehicle (SDV). The SDV receives information from a calendar entry of a passenger's schedule about an event at a destination location to which the SDV is to drive the passenger to. The SDV sensors detect one or more behaviors or cognitive states of the passenger while in the vehicle. The SDV determines an optimal arrival time at the destination location based on the user's schedule information and the user's behavior or cognitive state; and further alters the driving speed or route taken by the SDV based on the determined optimal arrival time and an estimated travel time. The reshaping of the SDV driving characteristics is based on calendar information received including: an event meeting time, event topic, attendees, event importance. A detected passenger behavior can include talking on a phone, reading, or being in a tired, sleeping, agitated or nervous state.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James R. Kozloski, Clifford A. Pickover, Michael S. Gordon
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Patent number: 11052925Abstract: A target vehicle speed generation device generates a target vehicle speed of a driving-assisted vehicle (autonomously driven vehicle). The target vehicle speed generation device includes a controller that includes a plurality of vehicle speed command generation units and generates a target vehicle speed for when the vehicle is to travel/stop. The controller includes a look-ahead vehicle speed command calculation unit and a lowest vehicle speed command mediation unit. The look-ahead vehicle speed command calculation unit calculates a look-ahead vehicle speed command value that comes after the elapse of a prescribed amount of time from a present time for each vehicle speed command value generated by the plurality of vehicle speed command generation units. The lowest vehicle speed command mediation unit selects a lowest value among the plurality of look-ahead vehicle speed command values calculated by the look-ahead vehicle speed command calculation unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akinobu Gotou, Takashi Fukushige, Satoshi Tange
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Patent number: 11048263Abstract: An autonomous driving device for a vehicle includes: an actuator; and an electronic control unit configured to detect presence or absence of a driver, generate a first travel plan for causing the vehicle to travel autonomously, and generate a second travel plan by adding, to the first travel plan, a restriction including at least one of a lane change restriction and a vehicle speed restriction. The electronic control unit is configured to perform manned autonomous driving control for causing the vehicle to travel autonomously, by using the actuator, with the driver in the vehicle according to the first travel plan when the presence of the driver is detected, and perform unmanned autonomous driving control for causing the vehicle to travel autonomously, by using the actuator, with the driver not in the vehicle according to the second travel plan when the absence of the driver is detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiromitsu Urano
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Patent number: 11027718Abstract: An apparatus for reducing brake wear having a brake de-selection function for selectively disabling at least one brake on a vehicle; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive torque information which relates to torque reacted by a brake on the vehicle during a braking event and wheel speed information which relates to a speed of a wheel associated with the brake during the braking event; calculate an energy input into the brake during the braking event, based on the received torque information and the received wheel speed information; determine whether the calculated energy input meets at least one predefined energy input criterion; and activate the brake de-selection function if the calculated energy input meets the at least one predefined energy input criterion.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED, AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)Inventors: Kurt Brüggemann, Brice Cheray, Louis Emmanuel Romana
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Patent number: 11027715Abstract: A method and a system for verifying normal operation of a negative pressure sensor of a brake booster is provided. The method and system verify whether the negative pressure sensor of the brake booster is in normal operation and the normal operation of the booster negative pressure sensor is detected by mutually verifying values measured by the booster negative pressure sensor and values measured by sensors that indirectly sense the booster negative pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Young-Kyun Son, Hee-Sung Yoon, Sung-Hyun Cho
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Patent number: 11009871Abstract: Device and method for displaying a current driving mode of a vehicle, at least one of several driving modes of the vehicle is an autonomous driving mode. The device includes a display unit having a light source and an imaging unit interacting with the light source. A first controller controls the light source. The first controller is configured such that it meets a first technical qualification with regards to a reliability or safety criterion. The first controller only activates the light source in the event of the current presence of the autonomous driving mode. A second controller controls the imaging unit, the second controller is configured such that that it meets a second technical qualification with regards to the reliability or safety criterion. The first technical qualification corresponds to a higher degree of reliability or safety with regards to the reliability or safety criterion than the second technical qualification.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: DAIMLER AGInventor: Marc Necker
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Patent number: 10994697Abstract: A restraint system for an occupant seat mounted in a motor vehicle includes a processor to produce at least one control signal to control either or both of an electronically controllable unit to disable or impede operation of the motor vehicle and a notification device to produce a notification unless, in sequence, a first sensor produces a first signal indicating detection of an occupant being seated in the occupant seat followed by at least one second sensor producing least one second signal indicating that a rotatable shaft of a web retractor coupled to a web of a restraint harness has rotated by at least a threshold amount followed by a third sensor producing a third signal indicating that a tongue of the restraint system is engaged with a buckle of the restraint system.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Chris P. Jessup, Mark F. Henderson, Norman C. Taylor, Ryan A. Qualizza
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Patent number: 10984657Abstract: Methods and systems of the present disclosure allow vehicle participants to issue vehicle statistical challenges to other vehicle participants using V2V communications. Accepted challenges are initiated and vehicle statistics relevant to the challenge are then recorded by the system in both vehicles. Once the challenge is complete, the system calculates and/or compares the results of the challenge, then communicates the results to the challenge participants. The system may also provide options for drivers to communicate via V2V messages, directions, routes, places of interest, or emergency locations in lieu of stopping and inquiring other vehicle participants in person.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Abril A. Galang, Nathan C. Westover, Joshua D. Payne
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Patent number: 10967851Abstract: A vehicle system includes a camera, a sensor, and processors for detecting an unoccupied parking spot while the vehicle traverses a detection path. The processors define a variable virtual boundary based on at least one object detected on a side of the detection path excluding the unoccupied parking spot and generates at least one parking maneuver based on the unoccupied parking spot and the variable virtual boundary.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Markus Krekel, Ahmed Benmimoun, Andrew Ochmanski, Thomas Gerlitz, Nadja Wysietzki, Cinderella Matuk, Li Xu, Kyle Simmons
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Patent number: 10953861Abstract: An apparatus for reducing brake wear having a brake de-selection function for selectively disabling at least one brake on a vehicle; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive torque information which relates to torque reacted by a brake on the vehicle during a braking event and wheel speed information which relates to a speed of a wheel associated with the brake during the braking event; calculate an energy input into the brake during the braking event, based on the received torque information and the received wheel speed information; determine whether the calculated energy input meets at least one predefined energy input criterion; and activate the brake de-selection function if the calculated energy input meets the at least one predefined energy input criterion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignees: Airbus Operations Limited, Airbus Operations S.A.S.Inventors: Kurt Brüggemann, Brice Cheray, Louis Emmanuel Romana
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Patent number: 10946863Abstract: A wheel load estimation method of a four-wheel drive vehicle driven by a rotational driving device comprises a correlation relationship setting step for previously setting a correlation relationship between a total weight and at least one of the front wheel load and the rear wheel load by variously changing a movable load of the vehicle, a total vehicle weight computation step for calculating a current total vehicle weight from an output torque of the rotational driving device and a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle corresponding to the output torque, and a wheel load estimation step for estimating the wheel load of at least a driving wheel from the correlation relationship and the total vehicle weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Yasumasa Imamura, Yasushi Yagi, Akihiro Tatara, Keisuke Haruta
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Patent number: 10921147Abstract: A customer offset may be determined with respect to a customer who has previously traveled to one or more merchant locations. A merchant location offset may be determined with respect to multiple customers who have each traveled to a particular merchant location. Upon determining that the customer is in transit to the merchant location, a generic ETA to the merchant location may be determined. A customer-based ETA for the customer with respect to the merchant location may be determined based on the generic ETA and the customer offset. Moreover, a merchant location-based ETA for the customer with respect to the merchant location may be determined based on the generic ETA and the merchant location offset. Based on the refined and more accurate ETAs, the merchant location may be instructed to begin assembling items for pick-up by the customer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Hapgood, Jon R. Ducrou, Alexander Edwards, Paul C. Hagar
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Patent number: 10875539Abstract: A system for estimating a tire load of a tire includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a tire pressure signal; an acceleration sensor configured to generate a tire acceleration signal; a temperature sensor configured to generate a tire temperature signal; and at least one processor configured to calculate a duration of a contact patch based on the tire acceleration signal, calculate a vehicle speed based on the tire acceleration signal, determine at least one system model coefficient based on the tire pressure signal and the tire temperature signal, and calculate the tire load of the tire using a linear system model that relates tire pressure, the duration of the contact patch, and the vehicle speed to the tire load of the tire, where the linear system model further includes the at least one system model coefficient for calculating the tire load of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Inventor: Christoph Steiner
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Patent number: 10810807Abstract: A data collection system includes: a communication terminal in each vehicle having a storage processor storing specific sensing information in a storage device and a vehicle-side communication unit; and a data center including a data center-side communication unit and a data center-side storage. The vehicle-side communication unit sequentially transmits vehicle information including a vehicle position to the data center. The data center-side communication unit transmits a transmission request of object information as the specific sensing information to an object vehicle, which is one of the vehicles approximately at a traveling position specified based on the vehicle position. The vehicle-side communication unit transmits the object information to the data center.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Toru Nagura, Tsuneo Nakata
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Patent number: 10761535Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for extracting lane-level information of designated road segments by mining vehicle dynamics data traces.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Shu Chen, Fan Bai, Donald K. Grimm, Jinzhu Chen, Bo Yu, David E. Bojanowski
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Patent number: 10739152Abstract: A device receives historical map data, and receives, during a time period, location data associated with a location of a vehicle. The device processes the location data, with a fitted history model, to generate a vehicle path, and processes a portion of the location data, with the fitted history model, to generate a fitted history path, based on the historical map data. The device compares the vehicle path and the fitted history path, and determines whether the vehicle path and the fitted history path match based on comparing the vehicle path and the fitted history path. The device provides the portion of the location data when the vehicle path and the fitted history path match, or adds location data to the portion of the location data and provides the portion of the location data and the added location data, when the vehicle path and the fitted history path do not match.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Fryer
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Patent number: 10730725Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus fir traveling cranes which is capable of displaying information about another traveling crane. The display apparatus for traveling cranes is equipped with: an imaging unit 20 which is mounted to the vicinity of the tip of a boom; a display unit 30 which displays an image captured by the imaging unit 20; a crane controller 40 which controls the orientation of a traveling crane; a communication unit 53 for mutually transmitting/receiving information to/from the other traveling crane; and an image controller 50 for displaying the information about the other traveling crane, received from the other traveling crane, in such a manner as to superimpose the information upon the image of the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: TADANO LTD.Inventor: Iwao Ishikawa
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Patent number: 10669697Abstract: A machine having a ground-engaging work tool is disclosed includes a traction device configured to move the machine on a ground surface, a control system configured to determine a slip experienced by the machine as the machine moves on the ground surface, and a display device. The display device may be configured to pictorially display (a) the determined slip, and (b) one or more target ranges of slip, wherein the machine efficiency when slip has a value within a target range may be higher compared to the efficiency when slip is outside the target range.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Katherine Miller, Joseph Faivre, Bradley Krone, Tony Metzger, Steve Ott