Patents Examined by Thomas Black
  • Cart containment system with integrated cart display unit
    Patent number: 8700230
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for tracking and controlling shopping carts and other types of human propelled vehicles. The system includes a wheel assembly that attaches to a cart. The wheel assembly includes a brake unit for inhibiting cart motion, and includes wireless communication circuitry. The wheel assembly is capable of activating the brake unit in response to one or more conditions, such as the receipt of an RF signal or command. In some embodiments, the system also includes a display unit that displays information to a user of the cart, including information regarding the cart's proximity to a lock zone in which the brake unit will become activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hannah, Scott J. Carter, Jesse M. James
  • Flexible vehicle display
    Patent number: 8694177
    Abstract: A method and system for displaying graphical content on a vehicle display includes a client module and a plurality of control modules. The client module is in communication with the vehicle display and the plurality of control modules. Each of the plurality of control modules include software for generating a graphical text data intended to be shown on the vehicle display. The graphical text data is formatted with a predetermined layout determined by the corresponding one of the plurality of control modules. The client module includes a control logic for showing the graphical generated by the at least one of the plurality of control modules on the vehicle display. The graphical text data shown on the vehicle display is formatted with the predetermined layout determined by the corresponding one of the plurality of control modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Quinn, Anthony G. Lobaza, Richard C. Vanitvelt
  • Visualization of paths using GPS data
    Patent number: 8694240
    Abstract: A map editing system for visually indicating the location of GPS devices on a map and identifying paths from the map. GPS data is received from a plurality of GPS devices. The data is filtered based parameters including the speed of the GPS devices. The filtered GPS data is displayed on a map using representations that visually indicate the location of the GPS devices that the data was received from. The representations can then be used for identifying and creating new paths on the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lookingbill, Mohammed Waleed Kadous
  • Device for displaying critical and non-critical information, and aircraft including such a device
    Patent number: 8694179
    Abstract: An information display device has a first processor unit and a second processor unit that are connected to at least one information source. The first processor unit is also connected to a display and to the second processor unit. The first processor unit and the second processor unit each include a computer and a memory. The computer of the second unit is arranged to construct an image for displaying on the display and to transmit it to the computer of the first processor unit, which is arranged to modify the image by incorporating therein information from the information source, and to transmit the modified image to the display. An aircraft fitted with such a device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: François Guillot, Jerôme Pierson, Pascal Coppee, Yann Vandenbaviere
  • Method for control of a gearbox
    Patent number: 8694216
    Abstract: A method for control of a gearbox, installed in a motor vehicle (1): The method effects a downshift of the gearbox (20) from a first gear (G1), for which the acceleration ? of the vehicle (1) is negative, to a second gear (G2), for which the acceleration ? is positive or substantially equal to nil. The downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2), using an engine speed ?G1 in the first gear (G1) as an input parameter when effecting the downshift. Also a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
  • Vehicle dynamic control systems with center of gravity compensation based on cargo information
    Patent number: 8694207
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a vehicle. One system includes a plurality of sensors, an occupant restraint system, and a controller. The plurality of sensors are configured to sense operating parameters of the vehicle, and the occupant restraint system is configured to sense data about cargo located in the vehicle. The controller is configured to obtain the data about the cargo located in the vehicle, determine a control adjustment to account for an impact of the cargo on the vehicle's center of gravity based on the data about the cargo, and control the vehicle based on the control adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank-Juergen Stuetzler, Jason Trombley
  • Process of ending a clutch protection function
    Patent number: 8694219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of ending a clutch protection function against overload of an automated clutch. The clutch protection function is ended when, by actuating the gas- and brake pedals, an absolute value of a brake pedal signal falls below a default threshold value and the time derivative of the brake pedal signal is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Bechmann
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 8694186
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle responsive to a seasonal grade of the fuel available in the vehicle's fuel tank. If the seasonal grade of fuel in the fuel tank does not correspond to the seasonal grade of fuel mandated during the time of engine operation, a fuel injection amount is adjusted to compensate for differences between seasonal grades of a fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Mathew Alan Boesch, Douglas Raymond Martin, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Road environment recognition device and method of recognizing road environment
    Patent number: 8694236
    Abstract: A radar unit emits beams, and receives a reflection beam reflected by an object. A position of the object relative to a vehicle and an attribute of the object are recognized based on the emitted beams and the reflection beam. A coordinate position of the vehicle in an absolute coordinate is calculated based on a traveling amount of the vehicle, and a coordinate position of the object is calculated based on the calculated position of the vehicle and the position of the object relative to the vehicle. A road environment of the vehicle is recognized based on the coordinate positions and the attribute of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Takagi
  • Regeneration control device, hybrid vehicle, regeneration control method, and computer program
    Patent number: 8694190
    Abstract: A regeneration control device of a hybrid vehicle detects brake fluid pressure for detecting the amount of engagement of the brakes of the hybrid vehicle, and performs a first regeneration control in a closed state of the accelerator and the brake pedal not being depressed, a second regeneration control in the closed state of the accelerator and the brake pedal being depressed, and a third regeneration control when the accelerator pedal is in the closed state and the brake fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, wherein X(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the first regeneration control, Y(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the second regeneration control, and Z(Nm/s) is set as the rate of increase of regenerative torque in the third regeneration control, then X<y<Z is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Sawayama, Masahiro Suzuki
  • System and method for controlling power downshifts of a transmission
    Patent number: 8688336
    Abstract: A system for controlling power downshifts of a transmission includes a flare generation module, a flare control module, and a shift control module. The flare generation module generates turbine speed flare by decreasing pressure applied to an off-going clutch of the transmission. The flare control module decreases the turbine speed flare by increasing the pressure applied to the off-going clutch of the transmission. The shift control module increases a pressure applied to an on-coming clutch of the transmission when the turbine speed flare is less than a predetermined amount from a desired turbine speed flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Tuning parameter of kalman filter in a wheel inspection
    Patent number: 8688314
    Abstract: A method for tuning a parameter of a Kalman filter in a wheel inspection for a vehicle. The method includes: associating wheel inspection data of the vehicle with locations of wheels in the vehicle; evaluating a wheel stable score of the vehicle based on the wheel inspection data and the association, wherein the wheel stable score indicates reliability of the wheel inspection; and tuning measurement error covariance of the Kalman filter according to the evaluated wheel stable score. By using the method, the parameter of the Kalman filter can be dynamically tuned to enable the Kalman filter to filter more accurately to ensure the correct result of the wheel inspection. In addition, an apparatus for tuning a parameter of a Kalman filter and a wheel inspection system for a vehicle are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Duan, Ke Hu, Zhong Bo Jiang, Wen Ting Mo, Wei Sun, Xin Zhang
  • Changing frequency of navigational notifications based on travel patterns
    Patent number: 8688362
    Abstract: A navigation-enabled device has a memory operatively coupled to a processor for executing a navigation application, a speaker operatively coupled to the processor for providing navigational notifications, and a position-determining system for determining a current location to enable the processor to identify a current route on which the device is located. The processor is configured to determine whether the current route is a familiar path and vary a frequency of the navigational notifications based on whether the current route is a familiar path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Martin Arastafar
  • Management system incorporating performance and detection data
    Patent number: 8688332
    Abstract: A management system for use at a worksite is disclosed. The management system may have at least one object detection sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a feature of a roadway traversed by the mobile machine, a positioning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of the mobile machine, and at least one performance sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of a performance parameter of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the feature. The management system may also have a controller configured to determine a surface condition of the roadway based on the first signal, index the surface condition to a particular location on the roadway based on the second signal, and generate a map of the roadway providing a representation of the surface condition and the performance parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Method for control of a gearbox
    Patent number: 8688335
    Abstract: A method for control of a gearbox (20) installed in a motor vehicle (1), which method effects a downshift of the gearbox (20) from a first gear (G1), for which the acceleration a of said vehicle (1) is negative, to a second gear (G2), for which the acceleration a is positive or substantially equal to nil, which downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and second gear (G2). An engine speed for changing gear at an intermediate gear step is higher than an engine speed for changing gear at a preceding intermediate gear step. Also a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
  • Pump system and motorized vehicle
    Patent number: 8688324
    Abstract: A pump system for inflating a tire of a motorized vehicle, comprises a pump unit. The pump unit has an outlet connectable to an inlet of the tire, for providing a fluid to the inside of the tire. A communication interface is communicatively connectable to a tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, in the vehicle, for receiving from the TPMS data representing information for controlling the providing of fluid to the tire. A pump controller is connected to the pump unit and to the communication interface and can control the pump unit based on at least the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier Lhuillier, Mark Shaw
  • Method and device for improving driving comfort in a steering assistance system
    Patent number: 8688326
    Abstract: A method for supporting a driver when steering a vehicle, in which a servo torque, as well as an additional actuating torque that may additionally be exerted on the steering system of the vehicle, are produced in order to cause the driver to make a change in the position of the steering wheel. The steering intervention by the additional required actuating torque may be made significantly more comfortable if the gradient of the actuating torque is limited to a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: David Rubia
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition system for energy extracting vessel navigation
    Patent number: 8688294
    Abstract: A Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system guides navigation of a vessel enabled to extract energy from wind and/or water currents primarily in offshore marine environments. An exemplary SCADA system embodies server and client software applications running on microprocessor systems at a remote control central service logging and energy distribution facility, and the vessel itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Integrated Power Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Roman Gizara, Michael Dominic Cicali
  • Apparatus for simulating a vehicle environment
    Patent number: 8688311
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of first inputs, corresponding to changeable vehicle state variables, manipuable to simulate changes in vehicle state. The apparatus includes a plurality of second inputs, corresponding to vehicle system controls, manipuable to simulate activation of vehicle controls. Also, in this embodiment, the apparatus also includes one or more bus inputs, configured to receive vehicle CAN bus signals and one or more bus outputs, configured to output vehicle CAN bus signals. Further, the apparatus includes a communication connection, configured to connect to a vehicle computing system module (VCSM) and to provide and receive signals from the VCSM allowing for testing of hardware and software in conjunction with the VCSM under various vehicle environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Peter Shelcusky, Mark Allen McClure
  • View control system and view control method
    Patent number: 8682524
    Abstract: A view control system is communicably connected to a display device for displaying data in accordance with an information resource. The view control system includes a view control device. The view control device includes a regulation determiner, a view regulator, and a resource data sender. The regulation determiner determines whether to regulate visible output of the information resource. The view regulator associates regulatory data with the information resource upon determining to regulate visible output of the information resource. The resource data sender sends resource data including the information resource, associated regulatory data, and a message conveying that visible output of the information resource is regulated. Either the message or data generated in accordance with the information resource is sent to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Eiji Kitagawa