Patents Examined by Shardul Patel
  • Patent number: 9633490
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a set of devises for determining a state of the vehicle at an instant of time and a processor operatively connected to a memory for processing parameters of the state of the vehicle collected over a plurality of instances of time for a period of time from an initial instance of time till a current instant of time to determine a set of driving conditions leading to a current state of the vehicle at the current instant of time. Each driving condition indicates a condition of an operation of the vehicle for the period of time. The vehicle also includes a communication module for outputting the current state of the vehicle determined by the set of devices at the current instant of time and for outputting the set of driving conditions leading to the current state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zafer Sahinoglu, Oncel Tuzel
  • Patent number: 9616876
    Abstract: A verification system for an end-of-train unit for a train having a first pressure sensor for determining the air pressure in a brake pipe, the system including: at least one additional pressure sensor to monitor or sense the air pressure in the brake pipe; and a computer to: receive or determine pressure data from the first pressure sensor; receive or determine pressure data from the at least one additional pressure sensor; compare the pressure data received or determined from the first pressure sensor with the pressure data received or determined from the at least one additional pressure sensor; and implement or facilitate an action based at least partially upon the results of the comparison. An improved end-of-train unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore E. Allwardt
  • Patent number: 9616769
    Abstract: A torque control apparatus and method for a drive motor is provided. The torque control method includes determining whether an input request torque is a rising torque or a falling torque. In addition, a controller is configured to select one of a rising rate map and a falling rate map based on a result of the judgment on the input request torque. Further, the controller is configured to adjust a rising rate of the rising torque using the rising rate map or a falling rate of the falling torque using the falling rate map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Won Jung, Kyu Il Lee, Sung Gone Yoon
  • Patent number: 9611795
    Abstract: A PM-ECU configured to control a drive torque of a vehicle is configured to be stopped in response to a driver's operation of a start switch and then activated in response to a driver's re-operation of the start switch. The PM-ECU is configured to be activated and place a restriction on the drive torque of the vehicle, in response to a re-operation of the start switch after the PM-ECU is stopped in response to an operation of the start switch. The PM-ECU is configured to remove the restriction on the drive torque in response to a reduction of an operation amount by which an accelerator pedal is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Amano, Kenji Uchida, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Yuki Hayakawa, Go Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 9605409
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a machine is disclosed. The system may include an input device configured to select from a plurality of modes of operation for the machine, the plurality of modes of operation comprising a manual mode, a remote mode, and an autonomous mode. The system may further include a controller coupled to the machine, the controller configured to place the machine in the selected mode of operation based on an input at the input device. The system may further include a transmitter configured to transmit a heartbeat signal. The system may further include a receiver configured to receive an acknowledgment signal from a remote system in response to the transmitted heartbeat signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Adam John Gudat
  • Patent number: 9606517
    Abstract: An actuator control method and an actuator control device that perform energy evaluation control that compares kinetic energy of a controlled object and work that can be done by braking and switches driving to braking at a point of time at which the kinetic energy of the controlled object and the work become equal, and also repeatedly makes a comparison between the kinetic energy of the controlled object and the work at each preset time, as a new control method that replaces PID control in mechanics for effectively utilizing vehicle energy to improve vehicle fuel consumption and control methods thereof, a control result is obtained by a simpler method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9604526
    Abstract: A method for controlling torque delivery in a vehicle powertrain using an enhanced limited operating strategy. The strategy is implemented when a powertrain controller fails to respond properly to a driver command for traction wheel torque whereby a modified wheel torque at vehicle traction wheels under driver control is made available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Edward Gauthier, John Proietty
  • Patent number: 9593468
    Abstract: A work implement requirement determination unit of a work vehicle determines a work implement required power based on the operation amount of a work implement operating member and the work implement pump pressure. A transmission requirement determination unit determines a transmission required power based on the vehicle speed and the operation amount of the accelerator operating member. When the sum of the work implement required power and the transmission required power is greater than a first distributable power that a predetermined preferential distribution power subtracted from a load upper limit power of the engine leaves, a distribution ratio determination unit allocates the smaller of a transmission compensation power and the transmission required power to a power transmission device and distributes the remainder of the first distributable power to the work implement pump and to a power transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Shunsuke Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9595196
    Abstract: A mine management system for a mine where an unmanned vehicle operates in an operation area of the mine, includes an exit determination unit determining based on position data of a moving body different from the unmanned vehicle whether the moving body exits the operation area, an abnormality monitoring unit ending monitoring abnormality of the moving body based on manipulation on an input device installed in the moving body, an entrance prohibited area setting unit setting an entrance prohibited area where entrance of the unmanned vehicle is prohibited so that the entrance prohibited area includes a position of the moving body and expands the entrance prohibited area when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality monitoring, and an alarm device control unit activating an alarm device installed in the moving body when it is determined that the moving body exits the operation area and the input device is not manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hiranaka
  • Patent number: 9569959
    Abstract: Systems and methods for threat detection include receiving data regarding a vehicle currently detected in the area. One or more characteristics of the currently detected vehicle may be compared to a model of previously detected vehicles. Based on the comparison, the one or more characteristics of the currently detected vehicle may be determined to be anomalous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Sprague
  • Patent number: 9561779
    Abstract: A method for starting a motor vehicle includes recognizing an engine on event of the motor vehicle at a powertrain control module in communication with a vehicle bus system operatively disposed in the motor vehicle. In response to recognizing the engine on event, an authentication request is transmitted from a verification module to a device having an electronic pattern-entry user interface. The method further includes receiving an entered pattern entered on the electronic pattern-entry user interface, and recognizing, by an authentication system, that the entered pattern is an authenticated pattern. In response to the recognizing that the entered pattern is the authenticated pattern, an authenticated engagement command is transmitted to the powertrain control module to instruct the powertrain control module to enter into an engaged state, the engaged state electrically enabling the powertrain control module to provide tractive power to a vehicle drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Abuzafor M. Rasal
  • Patent number: 9557178
    Abstract: An indoor positioning system and method of localizing a person/object in an indoor environment by identifying the orientation and direction of a person/object to provide a true location of the person/object without navigation errors. The system comprises magnets disposed on a doorway to create a unique magnetic field; a wireless communication unit comprising a magnetometer sensor to sense perturbations in each of the unique magnetic fields in the event that the person/object with the wireless communication unit passes through the doorway, and generate corresponding signals; a processor receiving the signals and extracting data from the same; and a backend server wirelessly communicating with the wireless communication unit, the backend server processing the data sample received from the wireless communication unit to identify the opening and the wireless communication unit to localize the person/object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Avik Ghose, Arpan Pal, Anirban Dutta Choudhury, Vivek Chandel, Chirabrata Bhaumik, Tanushyam Chattopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9554506
    Abstract: A fluid flow monitoring and control system for a self-propelled applicator which may be a sprayer and is configured to allow real-time visual monitoring of graphical representations of system statuses, control of the systems, and coordinated control instructions for multiple tasks through a single user input or command. The fluid flow monitoring and control system may include a touchscreen HMI providing electronic control and monitoring for the systems and components of the applicator. A rules engine may be implemented to prevent erroneous states, such as activating a pump without fluid flow to the pump as a rule implemented interlock to prevent inadvertent rapid component wear or other compromises of system integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Roy A. Bittner, Nathan Paul Brooks
  • Patent number: 9552729
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes determining whether real-time vehicle location information deviates from at least one of historical real-time vehicle location information or scheduled vehicle location information. The exemplary method further includes generating scheduling information for a user based on user data and the public transportation data, determining that the real-time vehicle location information deviates from at least one of the historical real-time vehicle location information or the scheduled vehicle location information by more than a threshold deviation, and updating the scheduling information for the user based on the user data, the public transportation data, and the determined deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Gontmakher, Frederick Peter Brewin, Noam Ben Haim
  • Patent number: 9545916
    Abstract: When all conditions for increasing a regeneration amount are established, and when a motor temperature Tmg is lower than a predetermined temperature, and a rotation speed Nm1 of a motor MG1 is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, a motor requirement upper limit value VHlimmg is set by imposing a limit for reducing a drive voltage system voltage VH (S130). In so doing, the regeneration amount can be increased by suppressing heat generation by a diode of a lower arm of a step-up converter. When, on the other hand, the motor temperature Tmg equals or exceeds the predetermined temperature or the rotation speed Nm1 of the motor MG1 equals or exceeds the predetermined rotation speed, the motor requirement upper limit value VHlimmg is set by relaxing or canceling the limit for reducing the drive voltage system voltage VH (S130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kamatani, Takaya Soma, Takao Itoh, Etsushi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9545839
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid electrical vehicle powertrain having an engine that is a source of power during forward drive and an electric motor that is a source of reverse driving power. A desired engine power during reverse drive is achieved by operating the engine at an increased speed that is greater than an optimum speed for a given engine power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shunsuke Okubo, Ming Lang Kuang, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Carol Louise Okubo, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar
  • Patent number: 9541419
    Abstract: Systems and methods that allow a user to enhance the experience on their mobile device and provide better information to make decisions based on sharing vehicle health information received from diagnostic systems on the car with applications on their mobile device. The system may receive trip information from a user device and vehicle health information from the vehicle and the user device. The system may generate an interactive map based on the trip information and the vehicle health information. The system may provide one or more notifications for the user based on the trip information and the vehicle health information. The system may receive calendar information and generate interactive maps and notifications based on the vehicle health information and the calendar information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: Linda Irene Borghesani
  • Patent number: 9533661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Steven J. Juricak, Jason M. Buckmier, Joshua D. Callaway, Korby A. Koch, Brian F. Taggart
  • Patent number: 9527434
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting apparatus includes a headlight that irradiates the front of a vehicle; a condition detection part that detects a weather condition at a position of the vehicle; a travelling route estimation part that estimates a road shape of a travelling route in front of the vehicle; and a control part that controls a luminous intensity distribution of the headlight. The control part controls the headlight in such a manner as to irradiate a road surface zone in front of the vehicle with a reduced quantity of light when the condition detection part detects such a weather condition as to cause a low visibility in front of the vehicle, the road surface zone in front of the vehicle corresponding to the road shape of the travelling route estimated by the travelling route estimation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9528850
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to generating and providing route options for an autonomous vehicle. For example, a user may identify a destination, and in response the vehicle's computer may provide routing options to the user. The routing options may be based on typical navigating considerations such as the total travel time, travel distance, fuel economy, etc. Each routing option may include not only an estimated total time, but also information regarding whether and which portions of the route may be maneuvered under the control of the vehicle alone (fully autonomous), a combination of the vehicle and the driver (semiautonomous), or the driver alone. The time of the longest stretch of driving associated with the autonomous mode as well as map information indicating portions of the routes associated with the type of maneuvering control may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Lawrence Burns, Brian Douglas Cullinane