Patents Examined by Yuen Wong
  • Patent number: 11794543
    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 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Christopher Paul Cox, Philip Tsiaras, Mark Larson, Mario Galasso, Matt McLellan
  • Patent number: 11796346
    Abstract: A usage recordal system for a towed vehicle includes a distance measurement sensor for measuring data representative of distance travelled by the towed vehicle, a road surface quality sensor for measuring data representative of road surface quality for the measured distance travelled by the towed vehicle, and a processor for receiving the data representative of distance travelled by the towed vehicle and the data representative of road surface quality for the measured distance travelled by the towed vehicle and for combining the data to provide data indicative of the distance travelled by the towed vehicle over a variety of road surface conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Huett, Senoll Kaptan
  • Patent number: 11783640
    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: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Roy Steven Brozovich
  • Patent number: 11780473
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a processor that switches, when detecting a physical abnormality of an occupant of an own vehicle based on physical information of the occupant, the own vehicle to an emergency mode in which the own vehicle automatically travels to a destination. The processor receives, when the own vehicle is switched to the emergency mode, other vehicle information from another vehicle switched to the emergency mode. The other vehicle information includes information on a physical abnormality of an occupant of the other vehicle. Based on the other vehicle information and own vehicle information including information on the physical abnormality of the occupant of the own vehicle, the processor sets the order of priority to determine which of the own vehicle or the other vehicle is allowed to travel preferentially, and sends, based on the order of priority, a medical aid request to an information processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yui Ota, Ikuo Goto
  • Patent number: 11774957
    Abstract: A method of operating a remote controller for controlling one or more vehicles that are remotely controllable includes performing communication connection between a main controller of the remote controller and each of the one or more vehicles, the main controller including at least one processor; checking setting information of one or more secondary controllers connected to the main controller; and transmitting an input obtained by each of the one or more secondary controllers to a respective at least one vehicle of the one or more vehicles by referring to the setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Su Lee, Chul Hee Han, Seung Woo Jeon
  • Patent number: 11767028
    Abstract: This document describes change detection criteria for updating sensor-based maps. Based on an indication that a registered object is detected near a vehicle, a processor determines differences between features of the registered object and features of a sensor-based reference map. A machine-learned model is trained using self-supervised learning to identify change detections from inputs. This model is executed to determine whether the differences satisfy change detection criteria for updating the sensor-based reference map. If the change detection criteria is satisfied, the processor causes the sensor-based reference map to be updated to reduce the differences, which enables the vehicle to safely operate in an autonomous mode using the updated reference map for navigating the vehicle in proximity to the coordinate location of the registered object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Walter K. Kosiak
  • Patent number: 11762385
    Abstract: Micro-authorization of remote assistance for an autonomous vehicle is described herein. A constraint that inhibits propulsion by a mechanical system of the autonomous vehicle is activated by a computing system of the autonomous vehicle, wherein a signal that identifies the activated constraint is transmitted from the autonomous vehicle to a remote computing system. The remote computing system generates instructions to deactivate the activated constraint. A return signal is transmitted from the remote computing system that specifies instructions to deactivate the constraint and a distance to desirably advance the autonomous vehicle. The computing system of the autonomous vehicle deactivates the constraint and the mechanical system is controlled to advance the autonomous vehicle when signal latency is less than a predetermined threshold duration of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Drew Gross, Brian Pierce, Gillian Langor, Haven Lau
  • Patent number: 11754414
    Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to generating travel route information that is interpretable by a delivery robot for traversing a last mile of a delivery. In an example embodiment, an individual captures a video clip while moving along a travel route that is preferred by the individual for use by the delivery robot. The video clip is converted into a digital route map that the delivery robot uses to reach a package drop-off location on the property. In another example embodiment, an individual captures an image of a portion of the property and appends oral instructions to reach the package drop-off location. The image and the oral instructions are converted into a digital route map for use by the delivery robot. In yet another example embodiment, markers affixed to a surface of a traversable area on the property are used by the delivery robot to reach the package drop-off location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Miller, Pavithra Madhavan, Sanghyun Hong, Jianbo Lu
  • Patent number: 11754677
    Abstract: Disclosed is a measurement device including: a distance measurement unit that has a light-generating element, a measurement light emission unit, a light reception unit, and a light reception element and measures a distance to a measurement target on the basis of a light reception signal; a deflection unit that is capable of performing scanning with measurement light; and a control unit that controls the distance measurement unit and the deflection unit. The control unit finds a surface of the measurement target, generates a grid having lines that are arranged at regular intervals on the surface of the measurement target and include a component parallel to a reference direction and a component perpendicular to the reference direction, and controls a deflection behavior of the deflection unit so that a scanning track of the measurement light traces the lines of the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Topcon Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishita
  • Patent number: 11756440
    Abstract: Tracking aircraft in and near a ramp area is described herein. One method includes receiving camera image data of an aircraft while the aircraft is approaching or in the ramp area, receiving LIDAR/Radar sensor data of an aircraft while the aircraft is approaching or in the ramp area, merging the camera image data and the LIDAR/Radar sensor data into a merged data set, and wherein the merged data set includes at least one of: data for determining the position and orientation of the aircraft relative to the position and orientation of the ramp area, data for determining speed of the aircraft, data for determining direction of the aircraft, data for determining proximity of the aircraft to a particular object within the ramp area, and data for forming a three dimensional virtual model of at least a portion of the aircraft from the merged data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh V. Poojary, Raghu Seelamonthula, Vinay Sridhara Murthy, Manuj Sharma
  • Patent number: 11745761
    Abstract: A path providing device configured to provide a path information to a vehicle includes: a communication unit configured to receive map information from a server, the map information including a plurality of layers of data, an interface unit configured to receive sensing information from one or more sensors disposed at the vehicle, a memory configured to store information used to determine and update the optimal path, and divided into a plurality of storage spaces, and a processor configured determine an optimal path for guiding the vehicle from an identified lane, generate autonomous driving visibility information based on the sensing information and the determined optimal path, update the optimal path based on dynamic information related to a movable object located in the optimal path and the autonomous driving visibility information, and store the plurality of map information separately in the plurality of storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jinsang Lee, Sujin Kim
  • Patent number: 11740623
    Abstract: A system includes a hand-held electronic device and an adapter mechanically connectable to a mobile machine. The adapter is configured to communicate with an electronic system of the mobile machine via a wired connection and to communicate with the hand-held electronic device via a wireless connection. The hand-held electronic device is configured to present to the user via a user interface a plurality of implement identifiers, receive from the user via the user interface a selection indicating one of the plurality of implement identifiers, and emulate operation of the implement corresponding to the selected implement identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Dennis Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11735039
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating and broadcasting telematics and/or image data is provided. Telematics and/or image data may be collected, with customer permission, in real-time by a mobile device (or a Telematics App running thereon) traveling within an originating vehicle. The telematics data may include acceleration, braking, speed, heading, and location data associated with the originating vehicle. The mobile device may generate an updated telematics data broadcast including up-to-date telematics data at least every few seconds; and then broadcast the updated telematics data broadcast at least every few seconds via wireless communication to another computing device to facilitate alerting another vehicle or driver of an abnormal traffic condition or event that the originating vehicle is experiencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventor: Gregory L. Hayward
  • Patent number: 11725930
    Abstract: A vessel load measurement system includes a laser measurement system configured to measure distances and angles by directing a laser of the laser measurement system onto remote laser targets and a controller configured to use the laser measurement system to measure a height of a first laser target placed at a known location on a vessel, obtain pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and compute at least one vessel corner height based on the measured height of the first laser target at the known location on the vessel, the pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and known dimensions of the vessel. The first laser target may be part of a jig that can be placed at a known location on the vessel. The jig may include at least one tilt sensor. An additional laser target may be used to measure the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ostridge, Theodore B. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 11718203
    Abstract: A system reduces motion sickness symptoms in operation of a vehicle. The system has a control unit which is coupled to a sensor system and/or to a navigation system, to a vehicle seat system, to a vehicle stabilization device and to a display unit for receiving and/or emitting signals. The sensor system and the navigation system are set up to receive environmental data and/or vehicle component data relating to the vehicle, from which movements of the vehicle result, and to transfer the data to the control unit. The control unit is set up to generate vehicle stabilization signals, seat adjustment signals and display signals on the basis of the received environmental data and/or vehicle component data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Geiger, Marc Mutzl, Alexander Spangler
  • Patent number: 11721207
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for slowdown detection. Location data received from vehicles traveling a road is evaluated to identify a road segment associated with vehicle speeds below a threshold. A space-time diagram is generated, and location data associated with vehicles traveling the road segment are plotted within the space-time diagram. The space-time diagram is processed using a convolutional neural network to determine a probability that the space-time diagram illustrates a slowdown. If the probability that the space-time diagram illustrates the slowdown is greater than a threshold, then a notification of the slowdown is transmitted to one or more computing devices associated with vehicles that may encounter the slowdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: INRIX, INC.
    Inventors: David Mulcahy, Dominic Jason Jordan
  • Patent number: 11714200
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a single-difference based pre-filter of measurements for use in solution separation framework are provided. In certain embodiments, a navigation system includes at least one receiver configured to receive a plurality of signals transmitted from a plurality of transmitters. The navigation system further includes a processing unit operatively coupled to the navigation system, the processor configured to identify a plurality of measurements associated with the plurality of transmitters. Additionally, executable instructions cause the processing unit to calculate an auxiliary navigation solution based on a calculated single difference between the plurality of measurements; calculate one or more single difference residuals for the auxiliary navigation solution; perform statistical tests on the one or more single difference residuals; and to identify a set of measurements in the plurality of measurements for use in a solution separation method based on the statistical tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Kana, Milos Sotak, Tomas Vaispacher
  • Patent number: 11710354
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) is coupled to a vehicle network, such as a controller area network (CAN), which network can be either encrypted or non-encrypted. The ECU includes input and output ports (at least one) which provides a non-encrypted access into the vehicle network. The electronic control unit, also referred to as a specialized ECU or as an enhanced gateway module, in one embodiment includes at least one port for configuring the ECU through a personal computer or other computing device. The ECU in one embodiment includes multiple input/output ports which can interface with vehicle subsystems either through or separate from the CAN. The ECU, in one embodiment, includes a non-encrypted serial data port which allows for communication between the ECU and subsystems provided by a third-party for interfacing into an OEM vehicle network, and especially an encrypted network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: InterMotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Schafer, Dan C. Mower
  • Patent number: 11710059
    Abstract: An ising solver system that searches an optimal route of a vehicle from plural routes passing through plural locations. In the ising solver system, the search of the optimal route uses a Hamiltonian. The Hamiltonian includes an equation representing an interaction between Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) variables depending on a relation between a departure location and an arrival location or capacitated variable of the ising solver. The capacitated variable corresponds to one of the QUOBO variables and includes a variable constraint, and the location-to-location travel step number corresponds to an accumulated movement time of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka Irie, Akira Miki, Masayoshi Terabe, Toru Awashima, Shunsuke Takahashi, Wongpaisarnsin Goragot, Shiowattana Dungjade
  • Patent number: 11692831
    Abstract: A program causes an information processing device communicable with a server to execute steps of: displaying stoppage points of the specific vehicle and at least part of a travel route passing through the stoppage points; transmitting the server a first request to modify the travel plan so that a user of the information processing device gets on the specific vehicle or gets off the specific vehicle at the stoppage point when the stoppage point is designated by a user operation; and transmitting the server a second request to modify the travel plan so that the specific vehicle goes by way of the designated point as an additional stoppage point and the user gets on the specific vehicle or gets off the specific vehicle at the additional stoppage point when the point other than the stoppage points is designated by the user operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daiki Kaneichi, Daisuke Tanabe