Patents Examined by Tiffany K Luu
  • Patent number: 11281215
    Abstract: An autonomous driving vehicle provides a driverless transportation service for a user. An alarming phenomenon is a natural phenomenon that potentially causes a disaster. The autonomous driving vehicle recognizes, based on driving environment information, the alarming phenomenon at a current location of the autonomous driving vehicle or on a planned travel route from the current location to a destination. When recognizing the alarming phenomenon, the autonomous driving vehicle determines whether to continue or halt vehicle travel control in accordance with a current travel plan. When determining to halt the vehicle travel control in accordance with the current travel plan, the autonomous driving vehicle sets an emergency plan depending on a type of the alarming phenomenon and controls the autonomous driving vehicle in accordance with the emergency plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunao Yoshizaki, Koji Taguchi, Masaki Wasekura, Nobuhide Kamata
  • Patent number: 11156999
    Abstract: A golf cart system for enabling a golf cart to autonomously operate includes a cart main body, a control module, a server, and a terminal. More specifically, when the terminal deviates from its original location where transmission and reception to and from a golf cart are performed or the terminal deviates from a driving restricted area or driving area within a driving area set in the golf cart, the golf cart is automatically stopped. When the terminal enters the driving area again, an accurate location of the terminal is confirmed using a distance value having a minimized error range using a trilateration algorithm, and the golf cart can move rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TT & G CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bae hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11110959
    Abstract: A trackless train is formed of a locomotive hinged to carriages of N trailers. A controller is provided at the locomotive, wherein an input end of the controller is connected to an output end of a clock, an odometer and the steering angle meter, and an output end of the controller is connected to an input end of the steering mechanism of each one of the trailers via an optical network. The controller can fully describe and control a travelling track of the trackless train, such that the steered wheels of the trailer carriages and the steering drive wheels of the locomotives maintain the same track during travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: SOUTHWEST JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Qunzhan Li
  • Patent number: 11094193
    Abstract: A real-time vehicle-based data gathering system includes: a vehicle management server to transmit a request to a plurality of vehicles, the request including geolocation information and microcode, wherein a respective vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is configured to execute the microcode when in a location corresponding to the geolocation information, the microcode to cause the respective vehicle to: execute a data gathering task using sensors in the respective vehicle, and transmit a response to the vehicle management server when the data gathering task is complete; and a data stream processor to receive responses from the plurality of vehicles, the responses including real-time sensed data acquired from the plurality of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Olufemi Oluwafemi, Andrew Wrenn, Peggy Jo Irelan, John Charles Weast
  • Patent number: 11043130
    Abstract: An aircraft and a method for operating the same may include, but is not limited to, a flight management system, a vertical situation display, and a processor configured to determine a first variable, a second variable and a third variable, determine flight plan data for the first, second and third variables, generate display data for the vertical situation display, the display data including the scale of the first second and third variables and a vector corresponding to the flight plan data of the first variable and second variable scaled to the first scale and the second scale, wherein the scale of the third variable is non-linear and varies based upon the flight plan data corresponding to the third variable relative to the vector, and output the generated display data to the vertical situation display for display on the vertical situation display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sripathi Ramachandra, Greg Carlucci, Richard Snyder, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohideen, Mark Pearson, Hyden Lopez, Christopher Raj Mariadoss
  • Patent number: 10996061
    Abstract: An apparatus including a processor and memory having computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: use a classification model to identify one or more anomalies between a monitored trajectory of a vehicle through a road network and predefined map data for the road network which are likely caused by errors in the predefined map data; and provide details of the one or more identified anomalies for use in obtaining additional data for the specific locations on the road network corresponding to the one or more identified anomalies in order to correct the errors in the predefined map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.
    Inventors: Tadej Stajner, Olivier Dousse, Daniel Seyde, Dmitry Skripin
  • Patent number: 10928832
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling motion of a vehicle. Sensor data is obtained, representing an environment of the vehicle. A reference control trajectory is corrected, using one or more virtual forces, to provide a desired trajectory. The one or more virtual forces are generated by applying an impedance scheme to the sensor data. A desired trajectory is outputted for controlling the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peyman Yadmellat
  • Patent number: 10919548
    Abstract: A non-stop train system including a plurality of train cars in communication with one another and in communication with an electronic control module. The train system further includes a track having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped on the track at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches the drop off and pick up location on the track initiating the prepositioned train car to begin departure. The electronic control module is used to adjust the speed of the non-stop express train and the prepositioned train car based on a detected distance such that a front coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the rear coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Mohd B. Malik
  • Patent number: 10890926
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system in an aircraft. The method includes receiving an advance indication of a take-off or landing event to be executed by the aircraft in proximity to a landing area such that the landing area includes an arrangement of a plurality of emitters of electromagnetic radiation. The method further includes, responsive to the receiving, detecting, via a sensor in communication with the computer system, emission states of at least some of the plurality of emitters. In addition, the method includes transforming the detected emission states into an instruction set for the take-off or landing event. The method also includes initiating monitoring of the aircraft relative to the instruction set as the aircraft executes the take-off or landing event in proximity to the landing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kevin McNair, Andrew Vincent Louis
  • Patent number: 10875575
    Abstract: A steering assistance device includes a steering wheel to which a driver of a vehicle inputs steering torque, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel, a steering mechanism configured to convert a rotation of the steering shaft into a steering angle for steering target wheels, a steering actuator configured to drive the steering mechanism such that a steering angle corresponding to a command value is generated, a steering torque sensor configured to detect torque acting on the steering shaft, an information providing unit configured to provide road information of a scheduled passage area extending in a traveling direction of the vehicle, and an electronic control unit configured to control the steering actuator, based on an output of the steering torque sensor and the road information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji Kunihiro, Yoshio Kudo, Takahiro Kojo, Yutaka Aoki, Ryo Irie, Satoshi Takahashi, Masateru Amano
  • Patent number: 10813267
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic traveling vehicle includes a position sensor and circuitry. The position sensor is to detect a vehicle position of the automatic traveling vehicle. The circuitry is configured to control the automatic traveling vehicle to travel along a first route, a first turn route connected to the first route, a straight route connected to the first turn route, a second turn route connected to the straight route, and a second route connected to the second turn route in this order, and to calculate the straight route extending from a reference point on the first turn route to the second turn route such that the straight route is tangent to the second turn route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Shinkai, Kazuo Sakaguchi, Kotaro Yamaguchi, Hiroki Suga
  • Patent number: 10814813
    Abstract: A method for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle in the case of an imminent collision with a collision object includes: recognizing that a collision with the collision object is imminent, analyzing the collision object and recognizing whether a particularly sensitive upper area of the motor vehicle will be affected by the collision, and at least partially suppressing a trigger signal of a protective mechanism to enable an evasive action by the occupant if it is recognized that the particularly sensitive upper area of the motor vehicle will be affected by the collision that has been recognized to be imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Ludwig Foltin
  • Patent number: 10809065
    Abstract: A method for creating an environment map for an automatically moveable processing device, in particular a cleaning robot, wherein a detection device of the processing device detects obstacles in the environment of the processing device and an environment map of the processing device is created based on detected obstacle data of the obstacles. At least one additional sensor detects obstacles in the environment of the processing device, wherein the distance of the additional sensor to the processing device is changed and wherein the obstacle data detected by the additional sensor is combined in the environment map with the obstacle data detected by the detection device of the processing device. In addition to the method for creating an environment map for an independently moveable processing device, the invention also relates to a system for creating an environment map for an independently moveable processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Helmich
  • Patent number: 10787278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a vehicle, such as an aircraft. A plurality of maintenance messages generated during operation of the vehicle are stored to form a plurality of stored maintenance messages. The stored maintenance messages are filtered to remove from the stored maintenance messages those maintenance messages that are correlated to minimum equipment list actions to form filtered stored maintenance messages. A predicted maintenance message is generated from the filtered stored maintenance messages by applying a machine learning algorithm to the filtered stored maintenance messages. The predicted maintenance message may be used to perform a maintenance operation on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David J. Huber, Nigel D. Stepp, Tsai-Ching Lu
  • Patent number: 10759411
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling regenerative braking of an eco-friendly vehicle are provided. The system eliminates a motor over-temperature state during regenerative braking, effectively prevents a chattering phenomenon in which regenerative braking torque is repeatedly increased and reduced after the motor over-temperature state, and consequently, improves the braking safety and operability of the vehicle. A torque output rate for motor regenerative braking torque limitation is determined from a current motor load and motor temperature using setting information when a motor over-temperature state is detected. Then, a final regenerative braking torque is determined by multiplying a motor regenerative braking torque, calculated from information including battery chargeable power and a driver braking operation value, by the determined torque output rate. Thereafter, regenerative braking of a motor is adjusted based on the determined final regenerative braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kyeom Cho, Sung Deok Kim
  • Patent number: 10654585
    Abstract: A vehicle guidance system, including: sensors to detect a surface pressure distribution for a respective location of the corresponding sensor on a vehicle, respectively; and a controller to receive an initial value for a Mach number; and calculate a converged value for an angle of attack based on first surface pressure data from a first set of the sensors, and a converged sideslip angle value based on second surface pressure data from a second set of the sensors. The controller calculates a freestream dynamic pressure based on the initial Mach number, the converged angle of attack, and the converged sideslip angle value, and calculates a freestream pressure, and calculates a converged value for Mach number based on the freestream pressure and the freestream dynamic pressure. A flight control processor provides an output for adjusting an orientation of the vehicle based on the converged Mach number and the freestream pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Millman
  • Patent number: 10633102
    Abstract: A screen device includes a screen, a plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements, a flying object, a support member, and a controller. The plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements are on the screen and are arranged at an outermost periphery, in a frame shape, of an area in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged. The plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements are on the screen and are arranged inside the area at the outermost periphery covered by the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements. The flying object is configured to be powered by electric power generated by the plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements. The support member connects the screen with the flying object. The controller is configured to control the flying object based on an evaluation of the electric power generated by the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Motonobu Yoshikawa, Masahiro Inata, Norikazu Katsuyama, Ryo Okumura, Fumio Muramatsu, Naoto Yumiki
  • Patent number: 10600328
    Abstract: An enhanced flight management system and flight management method directed to improved guidance in unstable approach scenarios. The method includes receiving and processing a published arrival procedure (PAP), a published glide path (PGP), landing parameters, and real-time aircraft sensor data to determine a an actual approach profile, and whether the aircraft is following the reference approach profile. Approach stabilization criterion are determined, including, (i) a wind corrected air mass flight path angle (WC FPA) at the IMC; (ii) a vertical speed at the wind corrected air mass flight path angle (VS IMC); (iii) a wind corrected air mass flight path (WC FPA) angle at the VMC; and (iv) a vertical speed at the wind corrected air mass flight path angle (VS VMC). The method also determines whether an IMC criterion profile and a VMC criterion profile stabilizes the actual approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dorothee De Villele, Sharanabasappa Advani, Rajesh Chaubey
  • Patent number: 10577099
    Abstract: An inductive landing apparatus for an unmanned aerial vehicle and methods of operation. One method includes locating, with a flight controller, an overhead power line. The method includes controlling a flight system communicatively coupled to the flight controller to bring the unmanned aerial vehicle in proximity to the overhead power line. The method includes controlling the flight system to position the unmanned aerial vehicle such that a first inductive clamp and a second inductive clamp of the unmanned aerial vehicle are aligned with the overhead power line. The method includes causing the first and second inductive clamps to open. The method includes causing the first and second inductive clamps to close around the overhead power line. The method includes inductively coupling the first and second inductive clamps to the overhead power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jody H. Akens, Dennis A. Byk, Anthony J. Suppelsa
  • Patent number: 10525938
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper device including (i) a first motor that includes a first output shaft, that rotates the first output shaft to rotate a wiper arm back and forth about a pivot point of the wiper arm, and that causes a wiper blade coupled to a leading end portion of the wiper arm to perform a back and forth wiping operation between an upper return position and a lower return position on a windshield, (ii) a second motor that changes a wiping range on the windshield by the wiper blade, (iii) a rotation angle detector that detects a rotation angle of the first output shaft, and (iv) a controller that controls the second motor according to a rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detector in a state in which a broad field of view should be secured on a front passenger seat side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi Negi, Shinichi Okada, Keigo Hikida, Sho Takano, Yoshihisa Banno