Patents by Inventor Gill Pratt

Gill Pratt 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).

  • Patent number: 11338856
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a steering wheel configured to output an output based on an input from a user, and a controller configured to: determine a target orientation of front wheels of a vehicle based on vehicle environment information, determine whether an orientation of the front wheels of the vehicle based on the output from the steering wheel deviates from the target orientation, disengage the steering wheel from the front wheels in response to determination that the orientation of the front wheels deviates from the target orientation, adjust the orientation of the front wheels to the target orientation and provide a feedback in response to adjusting the orientation of the front wheels to the target orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen McGill, Luke Fletcher, Kazunori Nimura, John Leonard, Gill Pratt
  • Publication number: 20200198701
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a steering wheel configured to output an output based on an input from a user, and a controller configured to: determine a target orientation of front wheels of a vehicle based on vehicle environment information, determine whether an orientation of the front wheels of the vehicle based on the output from the steering wheel deviates from the target orientation, disengage the steering wheel from the front wheels in response to determination that the orientation of the front wheels deviates from the target orientation, adjust the orientation of the front wheels to the target orientation and provide a feedback in response to adjusting the orientation of the front wheels to the target orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen McGill, Luke Fletcher, Kazunori Nimura, John Leonard, Gill Pratt
  • Patent number: 10633025
    Abstract: A vehicle system for operating a vehicle is provided. The vehicle system includes a first output device configured to output a first output, and a second output device configured to output a second output. The vehicle system operates the vehicle based on the first output from the first output device while obtaining vehicle environment information, determines whether an autonomous take-over event occurs based on the vehicle environment information, operates the vehicle in an autonomous driving mode in response to determining that the autonomous takeover event occurred, determines whether the vehicle system receives a take-over signal from the second output device, and operates the vehicle based on the second output from the second output device in response to determining that the vehicle system received the take-over signal from the second output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen McGill, Luke Fletcher, Kazunori Nimura, John Leonard, Gill Pratt
  • Publication number: 20190092389
    Abstract: A vehicle system for operating a vehicle is provided. The vehicle system includes a first output device configured to output a first output, and a second output device configured to output a second output. The vehicle system operates the vehicle based on the first output from the first output device while obtaining vehicle environment information, determines whether an autonomous take-over event occurs based on the vehicle environment information, operates the vehicle in an autonomous driving mode in response to determining that the autonomous takeover event occurred, determines whether the vehicle system receives a take-over signal from the second output device, and operates the vehicle based on the second output from the second output device in response to determining that the vehicle system received the take-over signal from the second output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen McGill, Luke Fletcher, Kazunori Nimura, John Leonard, Gill Pratt
  • Patent number: 8408918
    Abstract: A haptic simulation method determines a location of a needle assembly within a magneto-rheological fluid. The needle assembly within the magneto-rheological fluid is associated with a desired resistance value. A viscosity control signal representative of the desired resistance value is generated. The viscosity control signal is applied to a viscosity control device to vary a viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to achieve the desired resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Energid Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jianjuen Hu, Gill Pratt, Jeff Weber
  • Patent number: 7893644
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Patent number: 7854631
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsendl, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Publication number: 20090295317
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Publication number: 20090289584
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Patent number: 7593688
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for dynamically routing a plurality of simultaneous point-to-point communications through an array of repeating transceivers. Each repeating transceiver may simultaneously act as each of a transmitter of origin for one communication, a final receiver for a second communication, and a repeater for a plurality of other communications. When acting as a repeater, each transceiver applies programmed delays to information before re-transmitting, and these delays are programmed so as to route a communication through the array of transceivers along a designed path along which multiple re-transmissions from local repeating transceivers are received, aligned in time for constructive reinforcement, and retransmitted after dynamically programmable time delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Subscriber Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gill Pratt, David Reed
  • Publication number: 20090123896
    Abstract: A haptic simulation method determines a location of a needle assembly within a magneto-rheological fluid. The needle assembly within the magneto-rheological fluid is associated with a desired resistance value. A viscosity control signal representative of the desired resistance value is generated. The viscosity control signal is applied to a viscosity control device to vary a viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to achieve the desired resistance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Jianjuen Hu, Gill Pratt, Jeff Weber
  • Patent number: 7511443
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Barrett Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Publication number: 20060071622
    Abstract: Featured is a controller for a motor that is ultra-compact, with a power density of at least about 20 watts per cubic cm (W/cm3). The controller utilizes a common ground for power circuitry, which energizes the windings of the motor, and the signal circuitry, which controls this energization responsive to signals from one or more sensors. Also, the ground is held at a stable potential without galvanic isolation. The circuits, their components and connectors are sized and located to minimize their inductance and heat is dissipated by conduction to the controller's exterior such as by a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material (e.g., potable epoxy). The controller uses a single current sensor for plural windings and preferably a single heat sensor within the controller. The body of the controller can also function as the sole plug connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: William Townsend, Adam Crowell, Gill Pratt, Traveler Hauptman
  • Publication number: 20050130588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for dynamically routing a plurality of simultaneous point-to-point communications through an array of repeating transceivers. Each repeating transceiver may simultaneously act as each of a transmitter of origin for one communication, a final receiver for a second communication, and a repeater for a plurality of other communications. When acting as a repeater, each transceiver applies programmed delays to information before re-transmitting, and these delays are programmed so as to route a communication through the array of transceivers along a designed path along which multiple re-transmissions from local repeating transceivers are received, aligned in time for constructive reinforcement, and retransmitted after dynamically programmable time delays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Gill Pratt, David Reed
  • Publication number: 20050070834
    Abstract: An Active Ankle Foot Orthosis (AAFO) is provided where the impedance of an orthotic joint is modulated throughout the walking cycle to treat ankle foot gait pathology, such as drop foot gait. During controlled plantar flexion, a biomimetic torsional spring control is applied where orthotic joint stiffness is actively adjusted to minimize forefoot collisions with the ground. Throughout late stance, joint impedance is minimized so as not to impede powered plantar flexion movements, and during the swing phase, a torsional spring-damper (PD) control lifts the foot to provide toe clearance. To assess the clinical effects of variable-impedance control, kinetic and kinematic gait data were collected on two drop foot participants wearing the AAFO. It has been found that actively adjusting joint impedance reduces the occurrence of slap foot, allows greater powered plantar flexion, and provides for less kinematic difference during swing when compared to normals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hugh Herr, Joaquin Blaya, Gill Pratt