Patents Examined by Thomas E Worden
  • Patent number: 11584343
    Abstract: A method for the automated control of the longitudinal movement of a motor vehicle having an automated positive acceleration process in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an automated deceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An acceleration variable is determined based on a jerk value and limited in terms of absolute value. And the jerk value is in turn determined in a driving mode in which, starting from a vehicle actual longitudinal speed and a vehicle actual longitudinal acceleration, the motor vehicle is adjusted to a predeterminable vehicle longitudinal speed taking into account a predeterminable maximum positive driving mode vehicle longitudinal acceleration, a predeterminable maximum driving mode vehicle longitudinal deceleration and at least one predeterminable driving operating mode jerk absolute value which limits the jerk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashrit Das, Thomas Svensson
  • Patent number: 11587375
    Abstract: A method of operating a wireless communication device installed in a vehicle to transmit data indicative of trips made by the vehicle to a remote device. An ignition state of the vehicle is determined, wherein said ignition state includes at least an ignition ‘on’ state. A time window is defined based on a time at which the vehicle is determined to be in the ignition ‘on’ state, and a type is assigned to a trip to be made by the vehicle, wherein the trip is of a first type when input data indicative of an input by a user on an input device operatively connected to the wireless communication device is received in the defined time window, and is otherwise of a second type. A message is generated, at least for trips of the first type, indicating the type assigned to the trip, and is wirelessly transmitted to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Mobility Solutions B.V.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Santoro, Henrik Schiller, Alexander Schmidt, Christian Meissner, Thomas Hagenau, André Pomsel, René Liebscher
  • Patent number: 11582903
    Abstract: Vision based guidance system and method for lawn mowing devices are disclosed. An exemplary method for operating an autonomous lawn mower includes receiving, via a receiver, a perimeter data set from a handheld computer. The perimeter data set includes a perimeter outline of at least one perimeter that is determined utilizing a GPS unit of the handheld computer. The exemplary method also includes collecting, via at least one camera, images of a set area within the perimeter outline and mowing, via a mowing blade, grass within the set area. The exemplary method also includes autonomously steering, via a controller, the autonomous lawn mower based on the perimeter outline of the at least one perimeter and the images captured by the at least one camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Alyn G. Brown
  • Patent number: 11586228
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for drone vehicle integration and controls. A vehicle device for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may receive an input indicating a request to deploy the UAV from a vehicle. The vehicle device may determine that one or more deployment conditions are satisfied. The vehicle device may cause deployment of the UAV. The vehicle device may determine a control command for the UAV and a vehicle instruction associated with operating the UAV. The vehicle device may determine that the vehicle instruction has been satisfied, and may send the control command once the vehicle instruction is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Sandeep Raj Gandiga
  • Patent number: 11579633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically deploying an autonomous drone from a vehicle in response to a triggering event or accident so that data associated with the triggering event or accident may be automatically obtained are described. In one embodiment, a method for deploying an autonomous drone in response to a triggering event is described. The method includes providing an autonomous drone in a vehicle. The method also includes detecting a triggering event associated with the vehicle. Upon detection of the triggering event, the method includes automatically deploying the autonomous drone from the vehicle. The method further includes implementing, by the autonomous drone, a plurality of automatic actions, including recording data associated with the vehicle in which the autonomous drone is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Justin Dax Haslam, Donnette Moncrief Brown, Eric David Schroeder, Ravi Durairaj, Deborah Janette Schulz
  • Patent number: 11580859
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle lane change control are described. Some implementations may include determining a kinematic state of a vehicle moving in an origin lane; detecting, based on data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, objects that are moving in a target lane of the road; determining a headway constraint in terms of a preparation time, a preparation acceleration to be applied to the vehicle during the preparation time, and an execution time during which the vehicle is to transition from the origin lane to the target lane; determining values of the preparation time, the execution time, and the preparation acceleration subject to a set of constraints including the headway constraint; and determining a motion plan that will transition the vehicle from the origin lane to the target lane based at least in part on the preparation time, the execution time, and the preparation acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Sandip Aine, Moritz Niendorf
  • Patent number: 11560177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time feedback to a driver of a vehicle based on real-time datasets is disclosed. The systems and methods include obtaining one or more sets of real-time data associated with a vehicle. Performing one or more operations on the set of real-time data, wherein the one or more operations are based on the set of real-time data. Generating, a feedback alert based on results of the one or more operations and one or more detected real-time behaviors of the vehicle. Providing the feedback alert for presentation at a user interface on-board the vehicle. The real-time data may include contextual data, environmental data, operating data, data for a plurality of drivers, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventor: Brian Mark Fields
  • Patent number: 11548387
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an information processing device includes a memory and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire a map defining a target in a coordinate space in which a direction along a traveling direction of a moving object is one of coordinate axes, and approximate a movement route of the moving object with a specified shape area along a coordinate axis in the coordinate space, the specified shape area being a basic unit of collision determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tasaki, Yuma Sano, Rie Katsuki
  • Patent number: 11536574
    Abstract: In an autonomous vehicle system, data received from one or more autonomous vehicles (AVs) can be aggregated to generate aggregated data. From this aggregated data, a vector-field map can be generated that includes a plurality of cells. Each of the cells can include a corresponding vector. The vector field map can be analyzed to identify one or more vectors of the plurality of cells that exceed one or more predetermined threshold values. The analysis can include a magnitude analysis and/or a frequency analysis. Based on the analysis, traffic and/or road conditions can be determined, which can provide prior knowledge about the driving behavior of other vehicles. Advantageously, aspects of the disclosure improve predictive motion models and enhance navigation algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Javier Felip Leon, Ignacio J. Alvarez, Maria Soledad Elli, David I. Gonzalez Aguirre, Javier Turek
  • Patent number: 11525696
    Abstract: Techniques enable selection of traffic cameras for display to a user, where the techniques involve determining a primary route and an alternate route, determining a first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route, and obtaining camera metadata identifying multiple cameras, where the camera metadata defines aspects such as positioning data, direction, status data, and image data for individual traffic cameras. The techniques also involve determining a priority score for individual cameras using the camera metadata, where the priority score is based, at least in part, on proximity to the first intersection between the primary route and the alternate route. The techniques then involve selecting at least one traffic camera based on the priority score of the camera and communicating image data of the camera for display on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff West, David Grochocki, Jr., Geoffrey T. Ebersol
  • Patent number: 11511795
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for attenuating dither noise in a steering system. An example method includes computing a torque command based on an input torque, and generating a current command corresponding to the torque command. Further, the method includes determining an adjustment parameter based on a plurality of steering system signals. Further, the method includes reducing dither noise of the steering system by dynamically modifying a controller parameter value using the adjustment parameter. Further, the method includes generating a voltage command using the current command and the modified controller parameter value, the voltage command used to generate torque by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Eickholt, Prerit Pramod
  • Patent number: 11508022
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a predictive traffic law enforcement profiler apparatus and method which incorporates a means to determine current location, time, velocity and also incorporates a means to utilize a database derived from historic traffic law enforcement records, crowd sourced records and historical traffic data and also incorporates a predictive processing means to provide historic traffic law enforcement records and estimates of enforced speed limits and enforcement profiles, patrol locations and schedules of traffic law enforcement to a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Dabell
  • Patent number: 11507870
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a predictive traffic law enforcement profiler apparatus and method which incorporates a means to determine current location, time, velocity and also incorporates a means to utilize a database derived from historic traffic law enforcement records, crowd sourced records and historical traffic data and also incorporates a predictive processing means to provide historic traffic law enforcement records and estimates of enforced speed limits and enforcement profiles, patrol locations and schedules of traffic law enforcement to a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Dabell
  • Patent number: 11493920
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and method operating an autonomous vehicle. A vehicle system may receive a plurality of inputs from a user of a vehicle, where the plurality of inputs includes a first labeling input received from the user and a first alert input received from the user. After determining that no user input has been received for an input threshold time, the vehicle system provides an alert prompt to the cockpit output device. This may cause the cockpit output device to provide the alert prompt to signal to the user to provide an alert input indicating that the user is alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventor: Eyal Cohen
  • Patent number: 11462061
    Abstract: A new automotive collision repair technology is provided, including system and data flow architectures that are designed to provide enhanced data and enhanced data flow in the context of vehicle diagnosis and repair, particularly when repairs are necessary due to collisions. In some examples, the data flow through the network is streamlined, to avoid network congestion, to use fewer computer and network resources and/or to enable the utilization of smaller databases. In other examples, enhanced access to data in real-time and near real-time enabled by a Workflow Module supports more accurate and timely decision on vehicle repair. An advantage of this new automotive collision repair technology is that it enables proper and proven repairs, which in turn increases operation safety of repaired vehicle and people safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Mitchell International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Joseph Rozint
  • Patent number: 11448513
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method, a system, and a computer program product in accordance with at least one example embodiment for generating parallel road data of a region utilized when performing navigational routing functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Zhenhua Zhang, Leon Stenneth
  • Patent number: 11440541
    Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a concurrent lane change of multiple vehicles to prevent or minimize collision, and a vehicle using the same. The apparatus includes a subject vehicle state estimator for estimating a state of a subject vehicle based on subject vehicle information and surrounding lane state information, a surrounding vehicle state estimator for estimating a state of a surrounding vehicle based on the subject vehicle state information and surrounding vehicle information, a lane state estimator for estimating a state of a surrounding lane based on the estimated subject vehicle state information and surrounding lane information, and a lane change predictor for predicting concurrent lane change of the subject vehicle and the surrounding vehicle based on the estimated subject vehicle state information, the estimated surrounding vehicle state information and the estimated surrounding lane state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Seul Ki Han, Su Min Jo, Hoon Lee, Sang Won Lee, Sung Woo Lee, Jong Gwan Lee, Bong Sob Song
  • Patent number: 11396736
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may include a first input component to control a lean angle of at least one set of wheels of a machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the lean angle. The control system may include a second input component to control an articulation angle of an articulated joint of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the articulation angle. The control system may include a third input component to control a rotation angle of an implement of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Tevis, Michael C. Gentle
  • Patent number: 11377208
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle-compatible drone. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes providing a drone having a plurality of blades and an expansion device. The expansion device is adapted to reconfigure the position of at least one blade of the plurality of blades from a first configuration of the drone to a second configuration of the drone. The computer-implemented method also includes identifying the drone being in a first mode that is associated with the first configuration. The computer-implemented method further includes detecting a trigger signal based on an event. The computer-implemented method includes transmitting a transition signal configured to cause the drone to transition to the second mode that is associated with the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peter Douglas Corey
  • Patent number: 11338793
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle includes a catalyst deterioration diagnosing unit, an engine controlling unit, and a diagnosis start determining unit. The catalyst deterioration diagnosing unit executes a deterioration diagnosis of a catalyst included in an exhaust system of an engine provided in the vehicle. The engine controlling unit controls an air-fuel ratio of the engine to a lean side and thereafter to a rich side during the deterioration diagnosis of the catalyst. The diagnosis start determining unit prohibits the deterioration diagnosis of the catalyst from being executed when a deceleration rate upon deceleration of the vehicle is high, and permits the deterioration diagnosis of the catalyst to be executed when the deceleration rate upon deceleration of the vehicle is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Komuro, Masahiro Ono