Patents by Inventor Chen-Fu Liao

Chen-Fu Liao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230406103
    Abstract: A system includes a display and a processor coupled to the display. The processor determines a position of a vehicle relative to a road lane and causes the display to depict a set of position indicators to convey the position of the vehicle relative to the road lane. In one state, the set of position indicators include a plurality of empty shape outlines and at least one filled shape outline. The processor also determines a position of a hazard relative to the vehicle and causes the display to depict a set of hazard position indicators to convey the position of the hazard relative to the vehicle. In one state, the set of hazard position indicators include a plurality of empty shape outlines and at least one filled shape outline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Max Donath, Brian Davis, Chen-Fu Liao, Nichole Morris, Katelyn Schwieters
  • Patent number: 10547967
    Abstract: A method includes a mobile device receiving data from a first beacon in a plurality of beacons, wherein the data indicates a plurality signals strengths of signals received by the first beacon from the other beacons in the plurality of beacons. The mobile device uses multivariable regression based on the data received from the first beacon and signal strengths of signals received by the mobile device from the other beacons in the plurality of beacons to determine distances from the mobile device to the beacons. The mobile device determines a location of the mobile device based on the determined distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Max Donath
  • Patent number: 10375524
    Abstract: A method includes a mobile device traveling in a vehicle scanning for Bluetooth devices. When the mobile device detects a Bluetooth device, it then determines that the Bluetooth device is a work zone tag. The mobile device then issues a warning that indicates that the vehicle is near a work zone based on the work zone tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Max Donath, Nichole Morris, John Hourdos, Stephen Zitzow-Childs, Janet Creaser, Christopher Edwards
  • Publication number: 20180255426
    Abstract: A method includes a mobile device receiving data from a first beacon in a plurality of beacons, wherein the data indicates a plurality signals strengths of signals received by the first beacon from the other beacons in the plurality of beacons. The mobile device uses multivariable regression based on the data received from the first beacon and signal strengths of signals received by the mobile device from the other beacons in the plurality of beacons to determine distances from the mobile device to the beacons. The mobile device determines a location of the mobile device based on the determined distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Max Donath
  • Publication number: 20180103350
    Abstract: A method includes a mobile device traveling in a vehicle scanning for Bluetooth devices. When the mobile device detects a Bluetooth device, it then determines that the Bluetooth device is a work zone tag. The mobile device then issues a warning that indicates that the vehicle is near a work zone based on the work zone tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Max Donath, Nichole Morris
  • Patent number: 6705199
    Abstract: A precision servo control system for a pneumatic actuator has a piston positionable over a stroke of the pneumatic actuator using a supply of pressurized gas. A brake and a sensor system are connected to the actuator and to the servo control system. The servo control system operates to initiate the forward thrust from the pressurized gas to move the piston along the stroke. When a braking point along the stroke is determined, the servo control system initiates a reverse thrust from the pressurized gas while maintaining the forward thrust and simultaneously begins to selectively apply the brake to stop the piston within a predetermined tolerance of a desired stopping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tol-O-Matic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Paul B. Gladen, Keith Hochhalter
  • Publication number: 20030056641
    Abstract: A precision servo control system for a pneumatic actuator has a piston positionable over a stroke of the pneumatic actuator using a supply of pressurized gas. A brake and a sensor system are connected to the actuator and to the servo control system. The servo control system operates to initiate the forward thrust from the pressurized gas to move the piston along the stroke. When a braking point along the stroke is determined, the servo control system initiates a reverse thrust from the pressurized gas while maintaining the forward thrust and simultaneously begins to selectively apply the brake to stop the piston within a predetermined tolerance of a desired stopping position. The precision servo control system is easily programmable in a manner similar to that of a control system for electrical actuators. The precision servo control system can maintain the predetermined tolerance even under changing loads, long stroke lengths or vertically oriented stroke directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Tol-O-Matic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Paul B. Gladen, Keith Hochhalter
  • Patent number: 6523451
    Abstract: A precision servo control system for a pneumatic actuator has a piston positionable over a stroke of the pneumatic actuator using a supply of pressurized gas. A brake and a sensor system are connected to the actuator and to the servo control system. The servo control system operates to initiate the forward thrust from the pressurized gas to move the piston along the stroke. When a braking point along the stroke is determined, the servo control system initiates a reverse thrust from the pressurized gas while maintaining the forward thrust and simultaneously begins to selectively apply the brake to stop the piston within a predetermined tolerance of a desired stopping position. The precision servo control system is easily programmable in a manner similar to that of a control system for electrical actuators. The precision servo control system can maintain the predetermined tolerance even under changing loads, long stroke lengths or vertically oriented stroke directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tol-O-Matic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Liao, Paul B. Gladen, Keith Hochhalter