Patents Examined by Yuen Wong
  • Patent number: 11692833
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques, including systems and methods, for determining alternate request locations based on a pickup location score (PLoS) of a location associated with transportation request information. A pickup location score may include an objective quantitative measurement of the fitness of a location for a pickup by a provider. For example, embodiments may receive transport request information associated with a requestor computing device including a request location, determine a modified request location based at least on a location score for each of one or more alternate request locations that are within a threshold distance of the request location, and send modified transport request information associated with the modified request location and the first requestor computing device to a provider computing device associated with a matched provider for the transport request information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky Chachra, Thaddeus Insuk Hwang, Snir Kodesh
  • Patent number: 11691703
    Abstract: Apparatus and computer-implemented method for autonomous marine vessel docking, the method including determining a transit control mode associated with route plan data defining transit operation between ports; determining an autonomous docking control mode associated with harbor track data including a set of waypoint properties and defining approach zone information and track segments joined at waypoints. Method further includes determining vessel location, speed and heading; comparing the vessel location, speed and heading to the approach zone information and changing from the transit control mode to the autonomous docking control mode in response to: the vessel location included by the location area information; the vessel speed being lower than the maximum vessel speed for entering the approach zone; and the vessel heading matching criteria defined by the maximum heading deviation for entering the approach zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ VOYAGE GMBH
    Inventors: Jann-Timothy Grunewald Mayer, Karl Soderstjerna
  • Patent number: 11685218
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hydraulic vehicle suspension are provided. A hydraulic suspension system, in one example, includes a first manifold including a piston-side interface and a rod-side interface fluidically coupled to a piston chamber and a rod chamber, respectively, for each of a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder. In the system, the first manifold includes a first electrically activated valve fluidically coupled to the piston-side interfaces, a first damping device, and a second damping device, the first electrically activated valve is configured to lock and unlock vertical motion of the first and second hydraulic cylinders and, while vertical motion of the first and second hydraulic cylinders is locked, the first electrically activated valve permits fluidic communication between the first and second hydraulic cylinders to permit free roll motion in the hydraulic suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Motion Systems Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro Benevelli, Stefano Fasano, Daniele Dodi
  • Patent number: 11687072
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation system includes a portable, ground-based landing pad comprising having a first antenna configured to transmit a data packet; a UAV comprising a second antenna configured to receive the data packet; and second processing circuitry configured to determine a signal strength between the first antenna and the second antenna; determine, based on the signal strength, an orientation of the vehicle relative to the landing pad; and determine, based on a time of flight of the data packet, a distance between the vehicle and the landing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Hai Pham, Saul Cooper, Mark Finney, Arjun BJ
  • Patent number: 11685358
    Abstract: A system and method for classifying an actuation of an electric parking brake of a vehicle is presented. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to sense a vehicle parameter, an output device, a memory including an electric parking brake usage profile, and an electronic controller configured to receive the electric parking brake usage profile, receive the vehicle parameter, detect an actuation of the electric parking brake, and in response to detecting an actuation of the electric parking brake: determine a reason for the actuation of the electric parking brake, determine an attribute of the vehicle based on the vehicle parameter, classify the actuation of the electric parking brake based on a numerical value of the attribute and/or the reason for the actuation of the electric parking brake, update the electric parking brake usage profile based on the classification, and output the updated parking brake usage profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Erica Hingst, Kathan Sheth, Anthony Farrell, Ankit Shah, Sivaraja Velusamy
  • Patent number: 11682202
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for allowing a user to visualize exposure data to facilitate catastrophe analysis includes receiving a wind speed probabilities data set; selecting a count of policies; generating an exposure map layer; and transmitting the map layer to a client device. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions that when executed, cause a computer to: receive one or more map layers; display a set of filter criteria; receive an input of a user; and update the map graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Emily Suits, David J. Podwojski, Veronica Ann McNear
  • Patent number: 11674817
    Abstract: A method for relocating a mobile vehicle in a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) map is provided. The method can be used in the mobile vehicle moving in an area and includes: using SLAM to establish the SLAM map that corresponds to the area at an initial time point; detecting, by a non-SLAM positioning device, a first position trajectory and a first azimuth trajectory of the mobile vehicle on the SLAM map; detecting, by a SLAM positioning device, a loss probability of the mobile vehicle between a first timestamp and a second timestamp; determining whether a condition is satisfied; and updating the SLAM map to a new SLAM map corresponding to a current time point and updating positioning information of the mobile vehicle in the new SLAM map when the condition is satisfied at the current time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: MICRO-STAR INTL CO., LTD., MSI COMPUTER (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hoa-Yu Chan, Shih-Che Hung
  • Patent number: 11668839
    Abstract: Improvements in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing detection of a vehicle are disclosed utilizing bearing and/or range measurements acquired independently from GNSS technology. Bearing and/or range measurements are determined from a GNSS-calculated position. Additionally, bearing and/or range measurements are acquired from an independent sensor, such as a Radio Detection and Ranging (radar) and a terrain database. The differences between the GNSS-based bearing and/or range and the bearing and/or range determined from the independent sensor, along with any applicable sources of error or uncertainty (including the post-hoc residuals from the GNSS-calculated position), are input into an analytical algorithm (e.g., RAIM) to determine whether GNSS spoofing is present with respect to the calculated GNSS position. If spoofing is detected, an alternative position determining system can be used in lieu of GNSS technology, and alerts can be sent notifying appropriate entities of the spoofing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Savoy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11660924
    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: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Christopher Paul Cox, Philip Tsiaras, Mark Larson, Mario Galasso, Matt McLellan
  • Patent number: 11662214
    Abstract: A dynamic navigation coach system is programmed to monitor and assist drivers while keeping them engaged en route to the destination. The system may provide driver navigation assistance and training that monitors user navigational skills, driving habits, and environmental factors, and provides dynamically adjustable tools to provide varying levels of navigation assistance in a game play format. The system may selectively provide navigational directions or corrections to the driver when the driver deviates from a scheduled travel route, instead of providing instructions at every driving event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cynthia Neubecker, Pietro Buttolo, Ali Hassani, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11661139
    Abstract: An electromechanical control system for a bicycle has a switch device, the switch device operating a switch between at least three positions. A control communication device transmits signals responsive to operation of the switch. The electromechanical control system includes an operation device configured to respond to signals transmitted by the control communication device. Signals transmitted by the control communication device include commands to listen and commands to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 11648951
    Abstract: Among other things, we describe techniques for operation of a vehicle based on measured load characteristics and/or passenger comfort. One or more sensors of the vehicle can measure passenger data and/or load data of the vehicle. The passenger data and/or load data of the vehicle can be used by the vehicle to determine how to navigate within the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Pendelton, Maurilio Di Cicco
  • Patent number: 11643202
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a drone having selectively actuated arms. In one embodiment, a drone includes arms connected to a body. Individual ones of the arms have a first end and a second end with the first end forming a connection with the body. The drone further includes rotor units individually including a propeller attached to a motor and mounted to the second end of the individual ones of the arms. Additionally, actuator units are integrated with the arms. Individual ones of the actuator units include electromagnetic cells that when activated induce an electromagnetic motive force that flexes the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuyang Song, Taehwa Lee, Hideo Iizuka, Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 11643097
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to execute the processing of finding, in connection with a first vehicle whose cabin unit and travel unit are separable from each other and that is scheduled to travel a first section of road in which travelling with a travel unit of a first type is suitable and provided with a travel unit of a second type different from the first type, a second vehicle that is scheduled to travel the first section in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the first vehicle and finish travelling the first section and provided with a travel unit of the first type, and instructing the first vehicle and the second vehicle to exchange the travel unit of the first type and the travel unit of the second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Nakano, Masato Ura, Koji Takao, Hideyuki Sakurai, Keisuke Hotta, Rieko Masutani, Atsushi Hanawa, Masanobu Ohmi, Takashi Hayashi, Atsushi Nabata, Tetsuro Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11644325
    Abstract: Based on schedule information indicating one or more events to be occurred and information relating to a location associated with each of the one or more events, a navigation method estimates an area and time at which congestion may be likely to occur in the vicinity of the location. Furthermore, the navigation method presents to a moving body information which is based on the estimated result of the area and the time, and which is related to a movement plan when moving using the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uematsu, Hiroyuki Sasai, Takeshi Ando, Noriaki Imaoka, Duyhinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11645879
    Abstract: Flight control unit and flight unit start flight in accordance with a flight plan. Flight history acquisition unit acquires a flight history of drone. Flight plan acquisition unit acquires a flight plan for drone. Inspection timing determination unit calculates a difference between the acquired flight plan and the acquired flight history, and based on the difference, determines an inspection timing for drone. Inspection timing notification unit provides notification of the determined inspection timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Takefumi Yamada, Ken Koumoto, Hidetoshi Ebara, Youhei Oono, Yuichiro Segawa, Yukiko Nakamura, Shinya Hanano
  • Patent number: 11639858
    Abstract: A system for and method of indicating an angle of attack of an aircraft is provided. The system utilizes measurements from existing aircraft sensors so that a dedicated angle of attack sensor is not required. The system enables and benefits from a unique method that includes performing standard flight operations during a calibration flight. The system does not need any aerodynamic model of the aircraft because it utilizes information from the calibration flight to develop an estimated aerodynamic model of the specific airplane. The system utilizes the aerodynamic model and other information to estimate an angle of attack of the aircraft during flight. Finally, the system utilizes additional information to indicate the estimated angle of attack of the aircraft relative to an optimum angle of attack for the aircraft and/or a critical angle of attack of the aircraft. The system further enables recalibration, so as to accommodate aircraft aerodynamic modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignees: ASPEN AVIONICS, INC., CENTRO ITALIANO RICERCHE AEROSPAZIALI S.C.P.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Genito, Federico Corraro, Luca Garbarino, Antonio Vitale, Ettore De Lellis, David Bibby, Sean Rieb, Kevin Glen Jones
  • Patent number: 11629961
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting crosswalk locations. Crosswalk locations can be detected by determining at least two painted lines on a road surface, and then combining the at least two painted lines on the road surface into a grouping of related elements. The grouping of related elements can be classified into a crosswalk (or in some embodiments a type of crosswalk) based on attributes of the grouping of related elements, where the attributes of the grouping of the elements includes a distance between the at least two painted lines, and an orientation of the grouping of related elements on the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC.
    Inventors: Harman Kumar, Juan Fasola, Yu-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 11629463
    Abstract: A machine train is composed of a road milling machine that travels in front and a road finisher that travels behind. The road milling machine has a profile data determining device configured so that a sequence of height profile data describing the height of the road surface in the longitudinal direction is determined while the road milling machine advances. For transmission of the height profile data, a data transmission device is provided on the road milling machine and a data receiving device is provided on the road finisher. To change the position of the screed, the road finisher has a levelling device that comprises at least one actuator and a control unit, which is configured so that the control unit generates a control signal for controlling the at least one actuator in accordance with a height profile data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Christoph Menzenbach, René Müller, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 11624631
    Abstract: Methods for mapping safe and traversable routes for robot vehicles comprise using a deviation to create an operating range threshold that is to be included in a stored path and used by a robot vehicle as a threshold for normal operating conditions when the robot vehicle traverses a safe and traversable route. Methods for responding to unsafe conditions detected by a robot vehicle during operations comprise executing a contingency plan when a variance exceeds an operating delta and does not exceed an intervention delta. Methods for responding to anomalous conditions encountered by a robot vehicle comprise contacting a human controller when a variance exceeds an operating delta and an intervention delta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Daxbot Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Sullivan