Patents Examined by Shardul Patel
  • Patent number: 9756773
    Abstract: An agricultural material application management system includes an automated agricultural data collection vehicle including a location sensor. The automated agricultural data collection vehicle includes a receiver that receives sensor data including crop information, a memory that stores the plurality of locations and the sensor data, and a processor that generates a mapping correlating the crop information with the plurality of locations in the agricultural area, and generates an agricultural material application recommendation for each of the plurality of locations based on the mapping. The agricultural material application management system includes an agricultural vehicle including an interface unit that interfaces with the automated agricultural data collection vehicle and receives the agricultural material application recommendations from the agricultural data collection vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luciano De Andrade Barbosa, Matthias Kormaksson, Cicero Nogueira Dos Santos, Marcelo Nery Dos Santos, Bianca Zadrozny
  • Patent number: 9751516
    Abstract: A controller may be configured to adjust a brake apply and release detection calibration based on a detection sensitivity associated with a predicted driver start/stop intention for a vehicle and an associated confidence level indicative of a likelihood of the predicted driver intention; and perform at least one of engine startup and engine shutdown according to the adjusted brake pedal detection calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Ryan Abraham McGee, Mathew Alan Boesch
  • Patent number: 9754425
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system that may facilitate communications so that parents or other superiors may monitor driving behavior of a vehicle carrying children or other subordinates. The system may allow communications to be sent from a parent computing device to a particular child computing device to set conditions for notifying the parent or superior of the driving behavior of a vehicle. Child computing devices may collect drive data (e.g., vehicle telematics data) for the system to evaluate and determine whether conditions are met (e.g., whether parental restrictions, like a geo-fence, are violated). Further, the system may send notifications to child computing devices and parent computing devices indicating whether the drive data meets the conditions of an agreement between a parent and teen. The system may also provide a web portal for use in forming the agreement between parents and their teens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Imran Iqbal, Srinath Gopalan, Yuval Saban
  • Patent number: 9746335
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes at least one of obtaining and receiving information regarding at least one location reference at a server (302) for transmission to at least one remote device; determining at least one path of the at least one location reference corresponding to at least one pair of points within mapping information at the server (302); computing at least one focusing factor at the server (302) based upon encoded information corresponding to the determined at least one path of the at least one location reference, and enhancing the at least one location reference by the computed at least one focusing factor; and transmitting the at least one location reference enhanced by the computed at least one focusing factor from the server (302) to the at least one remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom Global Content B.V.
    Inventor: Tsia Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 9746854
    Abstract: Drivable path plan systems and methods for autonomous vehicles disclosed herein may receive original path plan data, including a first path element tangentially connected to a second path element at a transition connection point. A drivable path plan may be calculated for the autonomous vehicle between the first path element and the second path element using a clothoid spline. An initial connection point may be identified, as well as an initial heading and an initial curvature along the first path element, and a final connection point, a final heading, and a final curvature along the second path element. The clothoid spline may be inserted between the initial connection point along the first path element and the final connection point along the second path element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 9738274
    Abstract: An engine electronic control unit of a hybrid vehicle is configured to execute in-abnormality starting control for starting an engine when the engine is cranked in a state where abnormality occurs to communication between the engine electronic control unit and a hybrid electronic control unit. The hybrid electronic control unit is configured to execute in-abnormality cranking control for controlling the first motor such that the engine is cranked when the abnormality occurs to the communication between the engine electronic control unit and the hybrid electronic control unit. In addition, the hybrid electronic control unit is configured to execute in-abnormality electric travel control for controlling the second motor such that the hybrid vehicle travels only by power from the second motor when the in-abnormality cranking control is executed but the engine is not started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noritake Mitsutani, Toshiya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9738253
    Abstract: There is set forth herein in one embodiment a system for detecting physical objects within a perimeter. The system can include one or more sensors configured to be supported by a motor vehicle. The system can include a processing system and the processing system can be configured to detect a physical object moving within the perimeter based on an output of the one or more sensors. The processing system can be configured to transmit a notification responsive to detecting a person approaching the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: APS SYSTEMS, LLC.
    Inventors: Thomas Czyz, Andrew Buyck, Joseph Impellizzieri
  • Patent number: 9740199
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method of remotely controlling a motorized submerged surface cleaning apparatus (1) comprising a body and a drive device, said remote control device comprising a control terminal (15) having a housing, a device (16) for transmitting control signals for the drive device, characterized in that the housing comprises an orientation detector furnishing at least one orientation parameter of the housing, and in that said device comprises a unit for processing orientation parameters, producing a first command for the drive device for an orientation parameter that is within a first interval of values, and a second command for the drive device for an orientation parameter that is within a second predetermined interval of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Thierry Michelon
  • Patent number: 9732838
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a gearbox having at least one rotational component having a design lifetime and at least one design parameter is disclosed. The monitoring system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a speed associated with the at least one rotational component, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a torque associated with the rotational component, and a controller electronically connected to the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to determine a remaining lifetime of the at least one rotational component based on the design lifetime, the at least one design parameter, and the first and second signals over a period of operating time, and generate a maintenance signal based on the remaining lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Grendel McKimpson, Richard Andrew Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9728013
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to detect electrical noise corresponding to one or more engines starting or running. The computer may record a first timestamp corresponding to the engines starting or running. The computer may detect that the engines have stopped. The computer may record a second timestamp corresponding to the engines stopping. The computer may also use the first and second timestamps to determine engine runtimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventor: Phillip King Gaynor
  • Patent number: 9725087
    Abstract: Safety device for a motor vehicle, having at least one sensor which is configured to detect an impending impact or an impending collision and possibly to generate a triggering signal, and having a control device which is configured to trigger a protective device if a triggering signal is present, wherein the safety device is configured to check whether the predicted impact or the collision has taken place within a predicted time period, and to transfer the motor vehicle into a safe state in the case of erroneous triggering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Franz Fürst
  • Patent number: 9718473
    Abstract: The possibility of a lane change of a vehicle is determined by using a first inter-vehicle distance that serves as a target for the lane change of the vehicle on an adjacent lane adjacent to a lane on which the vehicle is traveling. When the lane change is determined not to be executable, the presence or absence of a possibility that the first inter-vehicle distance will extend to a length that allows for the lane change is determined by using a second inter-vehicle distance positioned in front of or behind the first inter-vehicle distance. When it is determined that there is the possibility, waiting is determined to be necessary, and when it is determined that there is no such possibility, the waiting is determined to be unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9713675
    Abstract: Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to participate in the performance of tasks, for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance, or for facilitating other interactions with such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9694811
    Abstract: An intelligent intervention method based on an integrated tire pressure monitoring system includes monitoring a tire pressure and a tire temperature of a vehicle, and monitoring, a wheel speed of the vehicle; transmitting the tire pressure, the tire temperature and the wheel speed to a host; judging in real time whether the vehicle is in a normal status or in an abnormal status, via integrating the tire pressure, the tire temperature and the wheel speed; producing a deviation signal, when the tire pressure, the tire temperature and the wheel speed deviate from normal thresholds and transmitting the deviation signal to an intelligent intervention system; and performing intelligent intervention to slow down the vehicle in a straight line until the vehicle stops, when the deviation signal is received. The method enables the vehicle to run safely until stopping even in case of tire blowout, so as to prevent rollover or collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Yanping Lai
  • Patent number: 9690290
    Abstract: Arrangements relating to the transfer of data from an autonomous vehicle to a remote operation computing system while the autonomous vehicle is operating in a remote operational mode are described. A driving environment of the autonomous vehicle can be sensed using a sensor system to acquire driving environment data. The sensor system includes a plurality of different types of sensors. A driving environment complexity can be determined. The availability of a communication channel between the autonomous vehicle and the remote operation computing system can be determined. A subset of the plurality of different types of sensors can be selected based on the determined driving environment complexity and/or the determined communication channel availability and/or its quality. Driving environment data acquired by the selected subset of the plurality of different types of sensors can be sent to the remote operation computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9682652
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a control system for a sound controller configured to transmit sounds to a vehicle passenger cabin. The system includes a downshift sensor configured to detect a downshift of a vehicle transmission, and an accelerator pedal sensor that is configured to detect whether an accelerator pedal is actuated above a predetermined threshold. A controller controls operation of the sound controller in accordance with a sound control logic that is based on vehicle engine mode, transmission gear selection, accelerator pedal position, and vehicle engine speed. The controller also controls operation of the sound controller in accordance with an audible downshift logic if the downshift sensor detects a downshift of the vehicle transmission and the accelerator pedal sensor detects that the accelerator pedal is not actuated above the predetermined threshold, the audible downshift logic controlling the sound controller to enhance engine sound transmitted to the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rick Bailey, III, Steve Turner, Steve Eich
  • Patent number: 9683503
    Abstract: A method and a system of managing load sharing among a plurality of power sources are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the method includes determining a total power output to be directed from the plurality of power sources to at least one power consumer. The method also includes retrieving a Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) curve associated with each of the plurality of power sources. The method further includes determining an operating priority for each of the plurality of power sources based on operating constraints associated with the respective power source. The method further includes determining a load share for each of the plurality of power sources based on at least the total power output, the BSFC curves, and the operating priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Insu Chang, James Chase, Vijay Janardhan, Perry D. Converse
  • Patent number: 9675002
    Abstract: A seed meter system with singulators that are automatically controlled while planting to reduce instances of skips and doubles, without requiring stopping for manual adjustment of singulators. This allows the seed meter system to automatically adjust the singulators to compensate for variations in rotational speed of seed disks of the seed meters, variations in vacuum pressure within the seed meters, and variations in the size(s) of seeds being planted to reduce instances of skips and doubles while planting. Adjustments to the singulator may be made reactively by identifying seed delivery discontinuities such as skips and doubles and then making correction adjustments to attenuate singulator-induced stimulus that may influence seed delivery discontinuities. Adjustments to the singulator may be made proactively by identifying changes in seed meter performance characteristics or environment that lead to delivery discontinuities such as skips and doubles and, thus, influence seed delivery rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Joshua J. Roszman
  • Patent number: 9672665
    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: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Daniel Kraft, Jenny Sankovsky, Howard Hayes
  • Patent number: 9637002
    Abstract: An adaptive, automatically-reconfigurable, vehicle instrument display method and system are described that use information from multiple sensors located within the vehicle that monitor various aspects of a vehicle's operation and health to automatically modify presence and/or location of widgets in the vehicle's instrument display panel based upon circumstances or conditions as they occur or change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Luis Carlos Cruz Huertas, Edgar Adolfo Zamora Duran