Patents Examined by Tyler Paige
  • Patent number: 9454904
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a footwell object detection sensor to detect objects in the footwell. The footwell object detection sensor includes an object detection sensor and a controller. The object detection sensor outputs data indicative of a state of the footwell that includes a plurality of pedals. The controller is programmed to, in response to a difference between the data and stored data corresponding to reference states of the footwell being indicative of a presence of an object that inhibits actuation of one or more of the pedals, output a warning signal. The controller may output a pedal status of each of the pedals based on a comparison between the data and the stored data. Controller outputs can be used to confirm or invalidate pedal position signals used by other control systems in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Allan Lippman
  • Patent number: 9440641
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to improve a response of shifting operation of a drive mode while avoiding a shortage of drive force. The control system is applied to a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and two motors, and configured to select a drive mode from a mode where the vehicle is powered by the engine and a mode where the vehicle is powered by at least one of the motors while stopping the engine. The control system predicts a fact that the engine is expected to be started based on a detection value representing a running condition of the vehicle, during propulsion of the vehicle by the two motors while stopping the engine; shifts a drive mode to a mode where the vehicle is powered by one of the motors without using a power of the other motor to be used to start the engine; and starts the engine upon satisfaction of a condition for propelling the vehicle by the power of the other motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotatsu Kitabatake, Hideaki Komada, Yosuke Suzuki, Yuji Iwase
  • Patent number: 9434337
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for implementing door engagement detection for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when an apparatus of a door of a vehicle is engaged from inside the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate providing a notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, David T. Proefke
  • Patent number: 9435715
    Abstract: To characterize a behavior of a vehicle, a subjective behavior test is conducted on a given configuration of a suspension device and a wheel disc of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle's behavior is acceptable. Modifications are made to the given configuration so as to sweep through pairs of values corresponding to a lateral force Fy and a lateral offset Dy of the wheel in straight-line running. For each modified configuration of the suspension device and/or the wheel disc, the subjective behavior test is conducted again. For each configuration of the suspension device and the wheel disc tested, a determination is made of a pair of values of the lateral force Fy and the lateral offset Dy of the wheel in straight-line running. Areas Z of acceptable behavior of the vehicle in a plane Fy, Dy are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventor: Christophe Egerszegi
  • Patent number: 9429946
    Abstract: A driving control system mounted in a vehicle receives multiple pieces of information through a status detection module and a vehicle safety determination module thereof, performs a safety and collision analysis to predict whether a driving danger exists, when a driving danger exists, instructs an emergency control module to calculate an optimal barrier-avoiding path and send a corresponding control signal to a vehicle control module, and when no driving danger exists, instructs a normal control module to perform an adaptive algorithm according to different road conditions and driver's behavior information and send a control signal to the vehicle control module. Accordingly, the driving control system can instantly plan a barrier-avoiding path according the degree of emergency and collision danger to achieve the goal of enhancing safety and stability of the vehicle and driver in driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH & TESTING CENTER
    Inventors: Shun-Hung Chen, Po-Kai Tseng
  • Patent number: 9428177
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric storage apparatus that outputs an electric power to be converted into a kinetic energy for use in running of the vehicle, an engine that generates a kinetic energy for use in running of the vehicle, a generator that receives an output from the engine to generate an electric power, and a controller that controls charge and discharge of the electric storage apparatus. In performing charge of the electric storage apparatus using an electric power from an external power source and in performing charge of the electric storage apparatus using the electric power output from the generator in response to a signal produced through operation by a user, the controller calculate a full charge capacity of the electric storage apparatus based on an SOC of the electric storage apparatus at each of start and end of the charge and a current sum amount during the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Mori
  • Patent number: 9428056
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for displaying a real-time image in a cockpit of an aircraft. Use of a synthetic vision application is provided with a gradient-type feature such that a level of synthetic enhancements applied to an image may be adjusted to a synthetic vision application value that is less than 100 percent. The synthetic vision enhancement may be overlaid with the original image, according to the synthetic vision application value, to generate a modified image. Additional information may overlay the original image with the synthetic vision application such as a three-dimensional weather representation. The synthetic vision application may be used in conjunction with a high-definition camera to generate the original image. The modified image may be updated in real-time such that an updated view is continuously modified with an updated synthetic vision enhancement to provide accurate real-time views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Joseph Kneuper, Jason Michael Decker, Isaac Wayne Stanfield
  • Patent number: 9429114
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system is provided, comprising: during a first engine-off condition, coupling a fuel tank to a fuel vapor canister, and indicating degradation based on a change in pressure at the fuel vapor canister, and during a second engine-off condition, coupling the fuel vapor canister to an intake of an engine, and indicating degradation based on a change in pressure at the fuel vapor canister. The first engine-off condition may include an absolute fuel tank pressure greater than a threshold, while the second engine-off condition may include an engine spinning unfueled. In this way, a vacuum or pressure may be applied to the fuel vapor canister during an engine-off condition without requiring a dedicated vacuum pump coupled to the fuel vapor canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Jason Chung
  • Patent number: 9429951
    Abstract: A controller (1) includes: a transfer area setting unit (11) which, when transferring a transported object from a transfer source vehicle of respective transport vehicles to a transfer destination vehicle of the respective transport vehicles, decides a transfer area at a destination to which the transported object is transported by the transfer source vehicle; a transfer vehicle setting unit (12) which decides the transport vehicle that is the transfer destination vehicle on the basis of position information of the transfer area and the position information of the respective transport vehicles; and an instruction unit (14) which instructs the transfer source vehicle to carry out a task of transporting the transported object to the transfer area, and instructs the transfer destination vehicle to carry out a task of transporting the transported object from the transfer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoriko Kazama, Junichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9415768
    Abstract: A high-order control unit provided in a control device for a hybrid vehicle includes an elevation MAP that is used in common for up and down lines and in which at least two predetermined elevation values on a running track are described, and an energy estimation unit that estimates a target charge/discharge amount SOC_ref with respect to a power storage device on the basis of a traveling direction signal Rev expressing a traveling direction of a vehicle, distance information Dis from a distance translation unit, and information on the elevation MAP, to control a power generation device on the basis of the target charge/discharge amount SOC_ref.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuruki Okada, Yasuhiko Wada, Hisanori Yamasaki, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9415981
    Abstract: A wireless remote forms a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication network with a winch control module that allows the wireless remote to control both the winch and additional vehicle accessories through the winch control module. Further accessory control modules allow the control of more accessories utilizing the wireless remote by way of RF communication. Feedback from either the winch control module or the accessory control module is sent back to the wireless remote to allow the operator to view the current operating conditions of the winch or accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Heravi, Darren G. Fretz, Bryan M. Averill, Jeff Walston, Ian Wendler
  • Patent number: 9415775
    Abstract: Provided is a drive assist apparatus such that, in a vehicle in which a plurality of types of drive assist is implemented, the appropriateness of each drive assist can be maintained. A drive assist unit is provided with: a collision avoidance assist unit that implements individual drive assists; a vehicle-to-vehicle distance assist unit; and a cruise travel assist unit. An assist arbitration unit arbitrates between at least two or more drive assists when the at least two or more drive assists are implemented by the drive assist unit within a prescribed time on the basis of a plurality of types of assist elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minami Sato
  • Patent number: 9409574
    Abstract: A vehicle acceleration suppression device and a vehicle acceleration suppression method, capable of activating acceleration suppression control appropriately, include a travel controller configured to determine a type of the obstacle (such as a wall, another vehicle, an edge stone, or a natural thing) based on at least a first-time detection distance that is the distance between a vehicle and an obstacle detected for the first time and a height determination distance that is the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle detected when the obstacle is determined to be a tall obstacle. Then, acceleration suppression control is carried out in a control manner depending on the determined type of the obstacle when it is determined that the vehicle has approached the obstacle at an approach degree equal to or higher than a predefined approach degree based on the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Gokan, Takuya Inoue, Takeshi Sugano, Kazutomo Otani
  • Patent number: 9405011
    Abstract: A navigation system can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, a navigational signal receiver configured to receive a radio signal from at least one external system, a motion sensing device, and a navigation program executable by the microprocessor. The navigational signal receiver can be communicatively coupled to the microprocessor via a communication port. The navigation program can be configured to receive messages from the navigational signal receiver by communicating to the driver of the communication port. The communication port driver can adjust the current position based on the data returned by the motion sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Edward Showering
  • Patent number: 9393969
    Abstract: An improved air supply control system for a locomotive that includes a global positioning system (GPS) and a track database having the locations of rail road tunnels. Locomotives equipped with one or more air compressors and/or an air dryer are operated by the air supply control system to, firstly, minimize unnecessary air compressor operation in a tunnel and, secondly, to operate only the compressor and air dryer of the lead locomotive in a consist if the air supply system must be operated while the locomotives are in a tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: New York Air Brake, LLC
    Inventor: Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 9395447
    Abstract: Technology for measuring orientation is described. Signals can be received from a signal source having a known location via at least two antennas of the interferometer that are separated by a predefined distance. A delay between receiving the signals from the signal source at the at least two antennas of the interferometer can be calculated. A line of bearing (LOB) of the interferometer with respect to the signal source can be determined based on the delay between receiving the signals at the at least two antennas from the signal source. The orientation of the interferometer can be measured in a global coordinate system using the LOB of the interferometer with respect to the signal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Dolgin, Sarah E. Law, Joanne M. Attridge, Preethi Pratap, David C. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9389318
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a positioning unit that determines a position of the information processing apparatus based on an external signal; a sensor unit that detects a change in position of the information processing apparatus; and a processing unit that measures, according to a change in position detected at the sensor unit, an amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus from a first time when the positioning unit starts to determine the position of the information processing apparatus to a second time when the positioning unit completes determining the position of the information processing apparatus; and identifies a position of the information processing apparatus at the first time by compensating the position of the information processing apparatus determined by the positioning unit at the second time with the amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Adachi
  • Patent number: 9387764
    Abstract: A regenerative brake control system of an electric motorcycle includes an electric motor, a regeneration adjustment lever, sensors which detect vehicle states, respectively, and a control unit which sets reference regenerative torque according to the vehicle state, and the control unit calculates target torque obtained by compensating the reference regenerative torque based on the detected value of a regeneration amount sensor which detects the operation amount of a regeneration adjustment lever and controls the electric motor such that the electric motor generates regenerative torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9381445
    Abstract: A distance detecting device is mounted on a user's vehicle to detect a distance between the user's vehicle and a leading vehicle moving in front of the user's vehicle. The distance detecting device communicates with a processing device, which applies race based distance rules to determine whether the user's vehicle is close to or incurring a penalty based at least on the distance between the user's vehicle and the leading vehicle. An indication can be given to the user regarding an impending penalty and/or when a penalty is incurred. Similarly, the device can be read to apply a penalty. Various modifications can be made to allow for recording, display, and transmission of racing and penalty statistics, enabling and disabling recordation of penalty occurrences, tailoring the penalty determinations to a given race, and mounting the distance detecting device to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zebra Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robbie Ventura, Michael D. Paley, Robby Ketchell
  • Patent number: 9382016
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a method of monitoring landing of an aircraft includes determining whether the aircraft is in a landing phase to maneuver the aircraft to a landing zone. Either or both of a landing profile monitor and a pattern matcher can set a landing instability indicator. The landing profile monitor compares aircraft sensor data indicative of a current state of the aircraft to a landing profile of the aircraft and sets the landing instability indicator based on the landing profile. The pattern matcher identifies a pattern associated with the landing zone in perception sensor data indicative of current conditions at the landing zone, monitors the pattern for a change indicative of landing zone instability, and sets the landing instability indicator based on detecting the change indicative of landing zone instability. Landing abort logic is triggered to abort landing based on determining that the landing instability indicator is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Nicholas Loussides, Harshad S. Sane, Christopher Stathis