Patents Examined by Y. Beaulieu
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Patent number: 7203598Abstract: A traffic information system includes a traffic information server linked to a mobile terminal via a supporting wireless communications network. The traffic information system provides traffic information pertaining to a learned route of travel to a user of the mobile terminal when it is recognized that the user is likely traveling or is likely to travel on the learned route of travel. Routes of travel are learned based on tracking the location of the mobile terminal while traveling a specific route of travel, or over time to identify commonly traveled routes. Recognizing that the user is traveling on or is about to travel on a learned route may entail recognizing that a current time matches a customary travel time for the learned route. Alternatively, or in combination, such recognition may entail recognizing that a current location of the mobile terminal matches a location associated with the learned route.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventor: Sean M. Whitsell
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Patent number: 7197387Abstract: Sensor-equipped hub units 34a attached to respective drive wheels 34 each have a sensor device comprising a sensor 36 for detecting the ground contact load on the wheel 34. A control unit 31 has a traction controller 32, whereby when the ground contact load value output from one of the ground contact load sensors 36 while the vehicle is traveling straight is outside a predetermined range, the drive wheel 34 is controlled so as to return the ground contact load value to the original value.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Inoue, Katsura Koyagi, Kenji Sakamoto
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Patent number: 7194345Abstract: A compressed air processing system for motor vehicles includes a pressure control unit, an air dryer, a multi-circuit protection valve and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls the valves of the pressure control unit, the valves of the air dryer, the valves of the multi-circuit protection valve and the valves of an air suspension system of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Haldex Brake Products GmbHInventor: Siegfried Heer
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Patent number: 7194342Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft navigational system including a graphical user interface that is capable of displaying navigational information in a split-screen format. The split-screen format includes displaying multiple graphical user panels, each depicting different traffic information. For example, one of the panels displays a plurality of air traffic symbols corresponding to airborne obstacles and another of the panels simultaneously displays ground traffic symbols representing ground obstacles. The obstacles can include other aircraft in the air and on runways as the pilot's aircraft approaches for a landing. The navigational system also is capable of switching between a single graphical user panel and multiple panels in response to a triggering event, such as a change in the course of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Garmin AT, Inc.Inventors: Steven Horvath, Robert C. Hilb, James C. Walton
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Patent number: 7191045Abstract: A method for determining the trigger time for restraint means in a vehicle is provided, where, by forming two time windows for the speed reduction in a crash, the slope of the speed reduction in the respective time windows and the position of the time windows are determined. In this manner, an exact determination of the trigger time in conjunction with a crash time and the crash speed may be achieved, which are ascertained with the aid of a pre-crash sensory system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Sybille Eisele, Michael Roelleke, Marc Theisen
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Patent number: 7191047Abstract: A control system manages yaw-plane motion, while simultaneously comprehending and managing roll motion. The system reduces excessive maneuver-induced roll motion by properly shaping yaw-plane motion, which may include increasing yaw damping and/or decreasing a yaw gain, under various conditions, to avoid excessive excitation of roll dynamics.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hsien H. Chen, Edward J. Bedner, Aleksander B. Hac
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Patent number: 7191057Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products match a passenger with a driver for a trip to a destination. Candidate driver(s) for the trip are automatically identified based on a current location for the candidate driver(s) responsive to a request from the passenger. The passenger is provided an identification of the identified candidate driver.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventor: Maria Adamczyk
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Patent number: 7188025Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing traffic information in a data processing system in a vehicle using peer to peer connections. A traffic situation is identified. A traffic data packet is generated in response to identifying the traffic situation. The traffic data packet includes traffic information and an area of influence. A traffic data packet is transmitted to another vehicle using a peer to peer connection based on a location of the vehicle with respect to the area of influence.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Thomas Randall Hudson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7184885Abstract: A navigation system includes an image search unit for searching across an image database by using image data transmitted from an image data input unit, as a search key, a search-result output unit for displaying at least one piece of image data extracted by the search on a display, and a destination determination unit for reading point information corresponding to image data selected by a user from the display and determining the read point information to be a destination. Where information about the location, name, telephone number, zip code, address, and so forth, of a point which the user wants to determine to be the destination is not provided, the point can be searched by using image data including an image of the building or scenery of the point.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Takayuki Watanabe
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Patent number: 7184872Abstract: An electronically servo-assisted bicycle gearshift and method for electronically shifting the gears of a bicycle involves the steps of: receiving a signal requesting a displacement of a chain of a bicycle gearshift from a first sprocket to a second adjacent sprocket of a gearshift group comprising at least two sprockets; if the first sprocket has a smaller diameter than the second sprocket, obtaining an upwards gear-shifting position for the second sprocket, if the first sprocket has a larger diameter than the second sprocket, obtaining a downwards gear-shifting position for the second sprocket; and driving an actuator of the gearshift group to displace a guide element of the chain in an axial direction with respect to the gearshift group from the first sprocket to the upwards gear-shifting position for the second sprocket or to the downwards gear-shifting position for the second sprocket, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventor: Gianfranco Guderzo
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Patent number: 7184883Abstract: A a flight instrument enabling a pilot to intercept and precisely follow a predefined GPS track. The instrument—known as a GPS steering indicator—provides a visual display which is similar in appearance to other aircraft instruments (and therefore instantly recognizable to nearly all pilots). However, the instrument is preferably differentiated somewhat in its visual appearance to convey to the pilot the fact that it displays steering commands rather than cross track error. An indicator needle deflects to instruct the pilot which way to turn and how much to turn in order to intercept and fly along a predefined GPS track. By centering the indicator needle, the pilot maintains the desired instantaneous track.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Embry. Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.Inventor: Carl Edward Wischmeyer
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Patent number: 7181323Abstract: A computerized method generates unbiased estimates of parameters such as position, velocity, and acceleration of a vehicle. The method assigns initial vehicle states. Unbiased vehicle state estimates are obtained using a model incorporating a unique parameterization of the vehicle motion and state dynamics, and sensor registration bias states. Sensor measurements of the vehicle are used to iteratively update the vehicle states and covariances. Previous vehicle state and covariance, are propagated to produce current state and covariance estimates. If needed, a new vehicle model is adopted. Sensor registration biases are estimated to generate corrected measurement information. A measurement matrix and a measurement residual is determined. The Kalman gain matrix is determined, and used with measurement residual for state update. A new current state is generated. State covariance update is determined the same way, and used to generate a new current state covariance.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Jeffrey B. Boka, Peter J. Mavroudakis, Naresh R. Patel
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Patent number: 7181344Abstract: A database system for a global positioning (GPS) vehicular navigation device having a first database including street information data and a second database, including location information data that is independent of the first data. The database system includes a working memory unit including a first memory area and a second memory area separate from the first memory area. The first data includes street information stored in the first memory area and the second data includes location information stored in the second memory area.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbHInventors: Andreas Lehmann, Joachim Wietzke, Ingo Nagel, Jürgen Hellmich
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Patent number: 7177744Abstract: An elastic support assembly for an electric power steering apparatus in which a worm shaft is supported movably in a rotation axis direction through the elastic support assembly includes: a pair of first and second members relatively moving in the rotation axis direction according to a movement of the worm shaft; an elastic body provided between the first and second members in the rotation axis direction; and a cover which covers an outer periphery part of the elastic body from a radial direction of the worm shaft and is connected to the first member.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., LtdInventors: Hajime Tanaka, Hisatake Yamada, Norihisa Nishikawa, Hideo Kometani
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Patent number: 7177731Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods for handling incoming aircraft operation instructions are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receiving from a source off-board an aircraft an instruction for a change in a characteristic of the aircraft during operation (e.g., a change in heading, altitude or air speed of the aircraft). The method can further include automatically determining whether or not at least a portion of the instruction is to be implemented once a condition is met. If at least a portion of the instruction is to be implemented once a condition is met, the method can further include automatically carrying out a first course of action. If implementation of at least a portion of the instruction is not predicated upon fulfilling a condition is met, the method can further include automatically carrying out a second course of action different than the first course of action.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gordon R. A. Sandell, John C. Griffin, III, Peter D. Gunn, Charles A. Pullen
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Patent number: 7177733Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Matthew A. Katzer
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Patent number: 7174246Abstract: A method and system for regulating the torque transmitting capacity of a frictionally-engaged torque-transmitting assembly located in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The torque-transmitting assembly has an input and an output, the values of which, such as input torque and output torque, are detected by sensors. The torque values are subjected to a correlation calculation in which a correlation value is calculated. The difference value between the calculated correlation value and a predetermined correlation target value is determined. An adjustment value is determined to reduce the difference value if the difference value exceeds a preset threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KGInventor: Franz Bitzer
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Patent number: 7171296Abstract: An electronic control unit calculates a target yaw rate in accordance with a vehicle speed and a steering angle and calculates the yaw rate difference on the basis of the target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate. The electronic control unit estimates the grip factor of a front wheel to road surface and sets a distribution ratio for distribution of a vehicle-control target value among actuators of a steering system, a brake system, and a drive system in accordance with the estimated grip factor. The electronic control unit controls the actuators of the three systems in accordance with control instruction values distributed on the basis of the vehicle-control target value and the distribution ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Kato, Minekazu Momiyama, Takayuki Ohta, Akira Kodama
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Patent number: 7171304Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a navigation system allows a user to define and edits a favorite spot and retrieves points of interest (POI) information or other information associated with the favorite spot. The method includes the steps of creating a favorite spot by selecting a location on a map image displayed on the navigation system and setting a size of the favorite spot, selecting one of the favorite spots created in the navigation system, and retrieving information associated with the selected favorite spot. The navigation is able to inform the user that the user has entered a favorite spot or has left a favorite spot.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hikaru Wako
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Patent number: 7167795Abstract: A number of traveling routes are determined by computations, using a route processor and map information on the basis of current position information and destination information. The rating of the current traffic jam or the predicted traffic jam on each of the traveling routes is recognized based on a traffic jam prediction table and a calendar table obtained by statistically processing VICS data and past traffic conditions in terms of temporal elements. The number of traveling routes to which candidate traveling routes are narrowed is increased as the traffic jam rating is raised. Thus, the number of candidate traveling routes from which a user can select the actual traveling route is increased as the traffic jam rating rises in order to accommodate a situation where secondary traffic jams can take place on any candidate traveling route, thereby providing the user with useful traveling route information and appropriate guidance.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Increment P CorporationInventors: Koji Hirose, Nobuaki Suzuki