Patents Examined by Shardul D Patel
  • Patent number: 10353392
    Abstract: Provided is an autonomous moving body that controls driving wheels by allowing a trailing caster to be located on a front side with respect to a traveling direction when it is recognized that there is no step in a traveling direction and controls the driving wheels to change the orientation of a base body in which the driving wheels and the trailing caster are arranged and approach the step so that at least one of two driving wheels contacts the step before the trailing caster contacts the step when it is recognized that there is a step in the traveling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Terada
  • Patent number: 10345825
    Abstract: A drone road lighting method, system, and computer program product, includes detecting a need for illumination near a road and deploying a drone to perform an illumination action based on the detected need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas D. Erickson, Clifford A. Pickover, Maja Vukovic, Komminist Weldemariam
  • Patent number: 10347057
    Abstract: Computing systems for vehicle diagnostics are provided. In accordance with some aspects, a computing system may receive, from a vehicle (e.g., from a computing device installed in and/or at the vehicle), a diagnostic code generated by an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system of the vehicle. The computing system may determine an issue with the vehicle based on the diagnostic code and may determine, based on the issue, a remedial action for addressing the issue and a timeframe for performing the remedial action. The computing system may store data identifying the issue, the remedial action, and the timeframe in a record associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Daniel Kraft, Jenny Sankovsky, Howard Hayes
  • Patent number: 10345810
    Abstract: A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode may operate a sensor to determine an environment of the vehicle. The sensor may be configured to obtain sensor data of a sensed portion of the environment. The sensed portion may be defined by a sensor parameter. Based on the environment of the vehicle, the vehicle may select at least one parameter value for the at least one sensor parameter such that the sensed portion of the environment corresponds to a region of interest. The vehicle may operate the sensor, using the selected at least one parameter value for the at least one sensor parameter, to obtain sensor data of the region of interest, and control the vehicle in the autonomous mode based on the sensor data of the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Christopher Urmson, David I. Ferguson, Nathaniel Fairfield, Dmitri A. Dolgov
  • Patent number: 10336152
    Abstract: A weight distribution system for dynamically controlling and adjusting the weight load on each axle of a vehicle uses a manifold that is fluid flow disposed between a source of pressured air and the air bags of the vehicle. The manifold allows an individual air bag to be inflated or deflated independently of the other air bags to a desired pressurization depending on either preprogrammed or user input parameters or external conditions. The system can be used to raise and lower the tractor or trailer for tractor and trailer coupling and decoupling. The system can quickly change air bag pressure to try and avoid a rollover. The system can monitor road and weather conditions and adjust the vehicle suspension accordingly. The system can adjust the suspension based on vehicle speed. The system can keep the vehicle at a constant height while loading or unloading. The system can keep track of the weight of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: Harrison L Cook, Jr., Bradley T Robinson
  • Patent number: 10336340
    Abstract: A method for altering at least one driving parameter of a vehicle during travel. The method includes a step of reading in a traffic-sign signal, in which a traffic-sign signal is read in, the traffic-sign signal representing an altered traffic zone, indicated by a traffic sign, at one position. In a step of reading in a map signal, a map signal is read in which represents a traffic zone, indicated by a map, at the position. In a comparing step, the traffic-sign signal is compared to the map signal. In a last step of providing, an alteration signal is provided for altering at least the driving parameter, if a predetermined relationship exists between the traffic-sign signal and the map signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andras Sarosi, Attila Licsar, Csaba Gyulai, Tor Oyvind Didriksen
  • Patent number: 10328577
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present disclosure is an automatic floor preparation or maintenance system. The system uses a laser rangefinder to map a workspace, while a path planning module uses the map to determine a path for the concrete polishing vehicle to travel. A propulsion system moves the vehicle along the determined path. A user interface allows an operator to remotely monitor the autonomous operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Xiaoyu Arasive Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lawrence, Penglai Guo, Patrick Rowe, Parag Batavia
  • Patent number: 10332320
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a computing device within an autonomous vehicle, the compute device comprising a wireless network device to enable a wireless data connection with an autonomous vehicle network, a set of multiple processors including a general-purpose processor and a general-purpose graphics processor, the set of multiple processors to execute a compute manager to manage execution of compute workloads associated with the autonomous vehicle, the compute workload associated with autonomous operations of the autonomous vehicle, and offload logic configured to execute on the set of multiple processors, the offload logic to determine to offload one or more of the compute workloads to one or more autonomous vehicles within range of the wireless network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Barath Lakshamanan, Linda L. Hurd, Ben J. Ashbaugh, Elmoustapha Ould-Ahmed-Vall, Liwei Ma, Jingyi Jin, Justin E. Gottschlich, Chandrasekaran Sakthivel, Michael S. Strickland, Brian T. Lewis, Lindsey Kuper, Altug Koker, Abhishek R. Appu, Prasoonkumar Surti, Joydeep Ray, Balaji Vembu, Javier S. Turek, Naila Farooqui
  • Patent number: 10330488
    Abstract: A display system includes a display for the graphic representation of changeable information, an operating unit for the control of the displayed information by a user, a proximity sensor which is arranged to detect an approach of the user to the operating unit, and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the display, the operating unit and the proximity sensor. The control unit is arranged such that, as a function of an approach of the user to the operating unit, it alters the representation of the changeable information, such that a time rate of display change of the graphic representation of the changeable information is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Waeller, Matthias Heimermann
  • Patent number: 10324475
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling a movable object such as a UAV. A baseline change between a controlling object and a controllable object can be determined with centimeter or sub-centimeter accuracy based on satnav measurements from the controlling object and the controllable object. The baseline change can be mapped to a state change for the controllable object. Control commands can be generated for effecting the state change for the controllable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liuzheng Cui, Di Wu, Wei Zhang, Jianyu Song, Renli Shi
  • Patent number: 10315630
    Abstract: A method for operating a braking assistance system of a vehicle, wherein the braking assistance system assists a braking of the vehicle by a vehicle braking device in the event of a hazard braking. To differentiate between the hazard braking and a normal braking, at least two variables, representing a braking demand of a driver of the vehicle, are ascertained and a threshold value is established for each variable wherein hazard braking is recognized when at least the two variables exceed their particular threshold value, whereupon an automated braking intervention by the braking assistance system is initiated with the aid of the vehicle braking device. Furthermore, at least one driving-situation variable representing the instantaneous driving situation of the vehicle is ascertained and the at least two threshold values are changed depending on the at least one driving-situation variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Svensson
  • Patent number: 10315752
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to validate an aircraft control system command are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a detection module to determine a status of a component of a folding wingtip assembly operatively coupled to a wing of an aircraft and determine a flight stage of the aircraft. The example apparatus further includes a sequence and control module to generate a command to control a movement of the folding wingtip assembly, and a gatekeeper module to validate the command based on the status and the flight stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Aaron Niemiec
  • Patent number: 10316494
    Abstract: A work machine has a work device mounted on a machine body including a fluid pressure motor for travelling. A controller reduces engine speed to be lower than rated engine speed during normal working mode. The controller controls engine speed so as to obtain a pump flow rate in accordance with a target travelling speed during travelling low-load mode when engine load is lower than a threshold. The controller controls both the engine speed and output torque for pump control so that the engine output becomes maximum in travelling high-load mode when the engine load is higher than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Shogo Tada, Masafumi Ohkubo, Yozo Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 10308198
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided which includes a first communicator configured to communicate with a server, wherein the server matches and stores vehicle setting information and physical information of a user, a second communicator configured to communicate with a vehicle, and a processor configured to control the first communicator to transmit user identification information to the server and receive the vehicle setting information and the physical information corresponding to the user identification information from the server, generate a vehicle setting corresponding to the vehicle based on the vehicle setting information and the physical information received from the server, and vehicle information received from the vehicle, and transmit the generated vehicle setting to the vehicle through the second communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Un-kyu Park, Woo-jin Park, Sun-hee Youm, Bo-sun Jung
  • Patent number: 10308242
    Abstract: A system and method for using human driving patterns to detect and correct abnormal driving behaviors of autonomous vehicles are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: generating data corresponding to a normal driving behavior safe zone; receiving a proposed vehicle control command; comparing the proposed vehicle control command with the normal driving behavior safe zone; and issuing a warning alert if the proposed vehicle control command is outside of the normal driving behavior safe zone. Another embodiment includes modifying the proposed vehicle control command to produce a modified and validated vehicle control command if the proposed vehicle control command is outside of the normal driving behavior safe zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TuSimple
    Inventors: Wutu Lin, Liu Liu, Xing Sun
  • Patent number: 10302440
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in-building lift taking navigation terminal, system and method and belongs to the field of lift technology. The in-building lift taking navigation terminal provided by the present invention comprises: a query input module at least used for inputting destination floor position information and a query instruction; an optional lift taking path display module used for acquiring and displaying one or more optional lift taking paths from an initial floor position to a destination floor position; and a navigation information display module used for generating and displaying corresponding navigation information based on each of the lift taking paths. The present invention can provide convenient and clear in-building lift taking path navigation for the passenger, the passenger can thus conveniently and efficiently reach the destination floor position and has a good lift taking experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jinglong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10295670
    Abstract: A collision mitigation system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of headlight mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to characterize the road surface, identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Advanced Lidar Solutions US, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Patrick Gilliland, Barton Goldstein, Andrew Duerner
  • Patent number: 10288444
    Abstract: A first user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system may invite a second user of a smart phone or vehicle navigation system to participate in a shared travel experience where the second user follows the first user. While on the shared trip, the first user is provided the location of the second user along with a route to a selected destination. The second user is provided the location of the first user, along with the route to the selected destination. The first user is able to identify points of interest on the route, which are then presented to the second user. A network is established that allows the first and second user to have a two-way conversation, and to synchronize the music that is listened to by the first user and the second user to simulate the experience of being together in the same vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Gerard Torquil Ifor Andrew, Geoffrey T. Ebersol, Kshitij Sethi, Isabelle Rice
  • Patent number: 10289965
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure includes a method, a system and a computer program product for scheduling a pickup of a passenger with an autonomous vehicle at a facility with a plurality of egress locations. The method includes receiving a pickup request for a passenger from a facility having a plurality of egress locations. A first pickup time is determined for each of the plurality of egress locations. A first egress location is selected from the plurality of egress locations based at least in part on the first pickup time at the first egress location, a position of the passenger and a queue time. A first signal is transmitted that includes a proposed pickup time and location to the passenger. An autonomous vehicle is moved from a first location to the first egress location. The passenger is picked up at the first egress location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald L. Bryson, Eric Kline, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 10281296
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, an interface, and at least one processor configured to present, via the interface, a message including a charge-vehicle recommendation for at least one charge station within the drive range, in response to (i) a selected destination for the vehicle lacking a charge facility for the battery and being within a drive range of the vehicle and (ii) a charge station being within the drive range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, David Allen Kowalski