Patents Examined by Yuen Wong
  • Patent number: 12269516
    Abstract: A method for operating an air conditioning system for a vehicle for transporting persons. The air conditioning system, depending on the current number of passengers in a passenger compartment of the vehicle (level of occupation), controls a fresh air volume flow to be introduced into the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle in order to maintain a predefined minimum ambient air quality. The air conditioning system determines a total water mass flow, which is currently produced by the passengers in the passenger compartment, on the basis of air-conditioning measurement values and a current value for at least one operating parameter of the air conditioning system. From the total water mass flow and a predefined value for a water mass flow produced by a single passenger, the system determines the current number of passengers in the passenger compartment. There is also described an air conditioning arrangement for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hildebrandt, Gerhard Reiss
  • Patent number: 12264738
    Abstract: A method for adaptively setting a shift point of a multi-speed powershift transmission of a working machine that includes an electric drive system and a control device. The electric drive system has a battery and an electric motor. The multi-speed powershift transmission is connected to the electric drive system. The control device is connected to the electric drive system and the multi-speed powershift transmission in a signal-effective manner. The method includes specifying a tractive force which must be present during shifting operations of the multi-speed powershift transmission, determining a state variable of the electric drive system, and determining based on the state variable and the specified tractive force, a driving speed at which the specified tractive force is essentially maintained during the shifting operation. The method includes setting the shift point at the determined driving speed and carrying out the shifting operation at the shift point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rico Glöckner, Jan Döring
  • Patent number: 12257998
    Abstract: A body-size class specification device of the present invention comprises a class feature-quantity information memorizing section to memorize class feature-quantity information to correlate plural classes for classifying a body size according to a dimension ratio of prescribed parts of a body with plural prescribed feature quantities for characterizing the plural classes, a first input section as an example of a feature-quantity acquiring section to acquire feature quantity of an object person to be specified for the class, an eye-height measuring section and an upper-body-length-ratio processing section, and a class specifying section to specify the class corresponding to the feature quantity of the object person acquired by the feature-quantity acquiring section based on the class feature-quantity information memorized by the class feature-quantity information memorizing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Noguchi, Yoshito Hirata, Hiroki Uemura, Tomonori Ohtsubo
  • Patent number: 12260627
    Abstract: An image obtaining section obtains a taken image from an imaging device. A pallet type identification section has a learning model for combinations of images of a plurality of types of pallets and types of the pallets, and identifies a type of a target pallet by inputting, to the learning model, the taken image of the target pallet, which is obtained by the image obtaining section. A pallet position/shape obtaining section obtains position/shape data of the target pallet from a distance measuring device for measuring a distance to the target pallet. A pallet deviation detection section previously stores position/shape data of the pallets and performs comparison between the stored position/shape data corresponding to the identified type of the target pallet and the position/shape data of the target pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Onoda
  • Patent number: 12257871
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Christopher Paul Cox, Philip Tsiaras, Mark Larson, Mario Galasso, Matt McLellan
  • Patent number: 12257995
    Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle includes braking a driving wheel of the vehicle by performing regenerative braking or auxiliary braking; comparing required braking force with braking force of the driving wheel; and additionally braking a non-driving wheel of the vehicle, when the controller concludes that the braking force of the driving wheel is lower than the required braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 12257908
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electric vehicle, including an electric machine, a gear mechanism, a housing, wherein the electric machine and the gear mechanism are arranged in an interior of the housing, and a receiving apparatus for a pulse inverter module, wherein the housing has an opening and the receiving apparatus is arranged in the interior of the housing directly behind the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Timijan Velic, Patrick Fuchs, Maximilian Barkow
  • Patent number: 12253826
    Abstract: Implementations configure hologram interactions with vehicle passengers. A hologram manager can configure a hologram to interact with vehicle passengers, alleviate danger, and/or guide vehicle passengers to safety. The hologram manager can select an input modality for the hologram according to sensed conditions. For example, the hologram manager can determine a state of impairment for a passenger using sensed data and machine learning model(s). The hologram manager can then select an input modality according to the state of impairment. The generated hologram can be configured by the hologram manager to interact with the passenger using the selected input modality. For example, an instruction manager can generate a set of instructions using sensed and/or gathered information, and the hologram manager can configure the hologram to provide the instructions to the passenger using the input modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: United States Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Brian Howard Katz, Jon Dwain McLaughlin, Surender Kumar, Roberto Virgillio Jolliffe, Shayla Leigh Callis, Sydney Ann Conrad-Cook, Breanna Nicole Allerkamp
  • Patent number: 12249192
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing vehicles. A particular vehicle can be repaired during a repair session using a computing device. The repair session can include the computing device: receiving a functional task setup with first and second identifiers, the first identifier identifying the particular vehicle, and the second identifier identifying a particular functional task for the computing device to perform on the particular vehicle; determining whether the computing device is available to perform the particular functional task; after determining the computing device is available to perform the particular functional task, receiving an input to initiate performance of the particular functional task on the particular vehicle; after receiving the input, sending a message to the particular vehicle to initiate performance of the particular functional task on the particular vehicle; and after sending the message, displaying a notification indicative of performing the particular functional task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Roy Steven Brozovich
  • Patent number: 12233852
    Abstract: The technology relates to identifying sensor occlusions due to the limits of the ranges of a vehicle's sensors and using this information to maneuver the vehicle. As an example, the vehicle is maneuvered along a route that includes traveling on a first roadway and crossing over a lane of a second roadway. A trajectory is identified from the lane that will cross with the route during the crossing at a first point. A second point beyond a range of the vehicle's sensors is selected. The second point corresponds to a hypothetical vehicle moving towards the route along the lane. A distance between the first point and the second point is determined. An amount of time that it would take the hypothetical vehicle to travel the distance is determined and compared to a threshold amount of time. The vehicle is maneuvered based on the comparison to complete the crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Douglas Luders, Vadim Furman, Nathaniel Fairfield
  • Patent number: 12230027
    Abstract: A catastrophe analysis computing system includes a processor; an electronic network; and a memory having stored thereon non-transitory computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: cause a client device to receive a exposure map layer; cause a filter graphical user interface and wind speed layers to be displayed in a graphical user interface; receive an input; and update the map graphical user interface. In another aspect, a method includes causing a client device to receive an exposure map layer; causing a filter graphical user interface and wind speed layers to be displayed in a graphical user interface; receiving an input; and updating the map graphical user interface. A method includes receiving an exposure map; displaying a filter graphical user interface; receiving an input; and updating a map graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Emily Suits, David J. Podwojski, Veronica Ann McNear
  • Patent number: 12208691
    Abstract: A controller selectively generates output for display indicative of a recommendation against use of a power outlet in a vehicle with devices external to the vehicle having a power rating greater than a predefined power rating threshold based on a difference between a current state of charge of a battery of the vehicle and a required state of charge for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan F. Diamond, Erik J. Christen, Matthew Joseph, Shehan Haputhanthri
  • Patent number: 12204328
    Abstract: A wireless mobile object 1 includes: a response unit 32 that responds to a call received through a voice channel over a mobile communication network; and a control unit 36 that controls an action of the wireless mobile object, based on maneuver information received through the voice channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Kimura, Ryo Nagaoka, Takato Toda, Nobuhiro Kimura, Takashi Yasunaga, Taichi Osada, Kaori Isagai, Yasuharu Yamashita
  • Patent number: 12202524
    Abstract: Techniques for item delivery including autonomous delivery vehicles used to identify optimal delivery locations and/or deliver physical items to pedestrians are discussed herein. In some examples, a vehicle may receive the instructions from a fleet management system. The vehicle may determine that the instructions cause the vehicle to deliver a quantity of goods to a specified region within the environment. Based on the instructions, the vehicle may transition to a delivery vehicle and navigate to the region. Upon arriving to the region, the vehicle may receive sensor data captured from sensor devices of the vehicle. Such sensor data may be used to detect a plurality of pedestrians within the region. Based on identifying the plurality of pedestrians within the region, the vehicle may determine a dispensing strategy. In some examples, the vehicle may deliver the goods to the plurality of pedestrians within the region according to the dispensing strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Sol Levinson, Daniel Earl Meyer, Valmiki Satya Rampersad
  • Patent number: 12197217
    Abstract: The vehicle includes an operation switch for manually operating the operation state of the accessories. The vehicle control system includes a first controller that performs an evacuation traveling in response to a decrease in the driver's consciousness level, and a second controller that controls an operation state of the accessories based on a request from the first controller or operation information of the operation switch. The first controller is configured to transmit, to the second controller, a specific operation rejection request for performing a specific operation rejection process of rejecting the control of the accessories based on the specific operation of the operation switch in response to a decrease in the driver's consciousness level. The second controller is configured to perform the specific operation rejection process when the specific operation rejection request is received from the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ueda
  • Patent number: 12194851
    Abstract: A display system which controls a display of display content, includes: a processor; and a memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include: performing image correction processing involving a change in a display position of the display content based on image correction data stored in advance; detecting an attitude change amount of a moving body; calculating a vibration correction amount of the display position of the display content based on the attitude change amount of the moving body; switching an order of processing between image correction processing involving a change in the display position of the display content and vibration correction processing of correcting the display position of the display content based on the vibration correction amount; and controlling the display position of the display content by performing the image correction processing and the vibration correction processing based on the order of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsui, Norikazu Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 12198557
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optimizing a mission of an aircraft, the aircraft having a predefined flight plan between a starting point and an arrival point, the flight plan comprising a set of waypoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Michel Roger, Hervé Goutelard, Christophe Pierre
  • Patent number: 12197232
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for robotically assisting the harvest of a crop. Instrumented picker carts include sensors for detecting amounts of harvested crop (e.g., fill ratios) of containers carried by the carts, communication modules for communicating their locations and detected crop amounts to a field computer, and components for signaling for robotic service. The field computer predicts when a cart that requests service will have a full container and where it will be located at that time, then decides whether to approve the request. If the request is approved, a robot is assigned and is given (or generates) a path to the cart's predicted location, and begins moving toward the location so as to arrive near (and preferably before) the predicted time. Robots include means for moving (e.g., wheels, motors, steering components, power sources), navigation modules, computing components for controlling their movement, and communication modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Stavros Vougioukas, Chen Peng, Dennis L. Sadowski
  • Patent number: 12194886
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for temperature-based vehicle operation analysis. A thermal sensor measures a temperature associated with an energy storage unit that stores energy. A vehicle attribute sensor measures one or more attributes of a vehicle. The energy storage unit is configured to power a propulsion mechanism of the vehicle. A control system with a processor and memory identifies an effect of the measured temperature associated with the energy storage unit on the one or more attributes of the vehicle. The control system identifies a change to vehicle operation of the vehicle based on the identified effect of the measured temperature associated with the energy storage unit on the one or more attributes of the vehicle. An output interface outputs an indication of the change to vehicle operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Cronin
  • Patent number: 12187100
    Abstract: An information processing device that controls a vehicle including a plurality of heating devices. The information processing device executes acquiring an air conditioning request transmitted from a user terminal, and selecting a heating device to be operated, among the heating devices in which an operation is specified by the air conditioning request, based on a remaining battery amount of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Murakami, Hiroyasu Hadano, Takaaki Inokuchi