Patents by Inventor Travis G. Ramler
Travis G. Ramler 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).
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Patent number: 11651517Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method are provided for a surround-view camera system having a plurality of cameras mounted to an object (e.g., a vehicle). A plurality of markers are arbitrarily placed around the object and configured to measure a plurality of distances between one another. From at least one image from one or more cameras, a controller is configured to visually identify at least two markers which define a coordinate system. Based on the measured plurality of distances between markers and the visually identified markers, the controller generates calibration information as an output, saved in the form of a look-up table, which will be retrieved and used when a display device generates a bird's-eye view for a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Inventors: Andreas U. Kuehnle, Hans M. Molin, Travis G. Ramler, Jeffrey R. Coleman, Cathy L. Boon, Zheng Li
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Publication number: 20200364902Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method are provided for a surround-view camera system having a plurality of cameras mounted to an object (e.g., a vehicle). A plurality of markers are arbitrarily placed around the object and configured to measure a plurality of distances between one another. The markers preferably include a rangefinder to measure distances. From at least one image from one or more cameras, a controller is configured to visually identify at least two markers which define a coordinate system. Based on the measured plurality of distances between markers and the visually identified markers, the controller generates calibration information as an output, preferably saved in the form of a look-up table, which will be retrieved and used when a display device generates a bird's-eye view for a viewer. Additionally, a marker that is part of the calibration apparatus is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Andreas U. KUEHNLE, Hans M. MOLIN, Travis G. RAMLER, Jeffrey R. COLEMAN, Cathy L. BOON, Zheng LI
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Patent number: 10803741Abstract: A controller is adapted to receive respective images from a sensors of a first vehicle. The images provide a gapless view along, and within a predetermined perpendicular distance away from, a side of the first vehicle. Movement of a second vehicle along, and within the predetermined perpendicular distance away from, the side of the first vehicle, is detected based on at least one of the images. A position of a front of the second vehicle is predicted based on the movement of the second vehicle. An image sequence is recorded at the position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Travis G Ramler, Andreas U Kuehnle, Jeffrey R Coleman, Hans M Molin
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Patent number: 10769813Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method are provided for a surround-view camera system having a plurality of cameras mounted to an object (e.g., a vehicle). A plurality of markers are arbitrarily placed around the object and configured to measure a plurality of distances between one another. The markers preferably include a rangefinder to measure distances. From at least one image from one or more cameras, a controller is configured to visually identify at least two markers which define a coordinate system. Based on the measured plurality of distances between markers and the visually identified markers, the controller generates calibration information as an output, preferably saved in the form of a look-up table, which will be retrieved and used when a display device generates a bird's-eye view for a viewer. Additionally, a marker that is part of the calibration apparatus is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLCInventors: Andreas U. Kuehnle, Hans M. Molin, Travis G. Ramler, Jeffrey R. Coleman, Cathy L. Boon, Zheng Li
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Publication number: 20200193816Abstract: A controller is adapted to receive respective images from a sensors of a first vehicle. The images provide a gapless view along, and within a predetermined perpendicular distance away from, a side of the first vehicle. Movement of a second vehicle along, and within the predetermined perpendicular distance away from, the side of the first vehicle, is detected based on at least one of the images. A position of a front of the second vehicle is predicted based on the movement of the second vehicle. An image sequence is recorded at the position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Travis G. Ramler, Andreas U. Kuehnle, Jeffrey R. Coleman, Hans M. Molin
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Publication number: 20200074680Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method are provided for a surround-view camera system having a plurality of cameras mounted to an object (e.g., a vehicle). A plurality of markers are arbitrarily placed around the object and configured to measure a plurality of distances between one another. The markers preferably include a rangefinder to measure distances. From at least one image from one or more cameras, a controller is configured to visually identify at least two markers which define a coordinate system. Based on the measured plurality of distances between markers and the visually identified markers, the controller generates calibration information as an output, preferably saved in the form of a look-up table, which will be retrieved and used when a display device generates a bird's-eye view for a viewer. Additionally, a marker that is part of the calibration apparatus is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Andreas U. KUEHNLE, Hans M. MOLIN, Travis G. RAMLER, Jeffrey R. COLEMAN, Cathy L. BOON, Zheng LI
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Publication number: 20190311618Abstract: A controller for identifying an over-speed condition of a vehicle is adapted to identify a current posted speed limit; determine whether to identify an over-speed condition of the vehicle based on the current posted speed limit, a previous posted speed limit and a current speed of the vehicle; and if it is determined to identify the over-speed condition, transmit an over-speed warning signal to activate a warning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Ken D. Au, Travis G. Ramler, William P. Amato, Andrew J. Pilkington, Nicholas A. Broyles, Ashish Pandit
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Publication number: 20180097996Abstract: When employing a multi-node computing architecture for commercial articulated vehicles to generate a composite surround view of the vehicle, each processing node is associated with a vehicle segment. Each node has its own processor, memory and sensors. A master-slave relationship exists in the architecture. The segment processors collect, format, manage and package their local information. Communication between nodes is controlled by the master node, which can limit, adjust, subsample and alter the information and information flow from the slave nodes. The slave nodes can be freely recombined, using a pre-established communication standard or a format agreed upon at combination time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Andreas U. Kuehnle, Marton Gyori, Hans M. Molin, Karl H. Jones, Travis G. Ramler
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Patent number: 9860445Abstract: When employing a multi-node computing architecture for commercial articulated vehicles to generate a composite surround view of the vehicle, each processing node is associated with a vehicle segment. Each node has its own processor, memory and sensors. A master-slave relationship exists in the architecture. The segment processors collect, format, manage and package their local information. Communication between nodes is controlled by the master node, which can limit, adjust, subsample and alter the information and information flow from the slave nodes. The slave nodes can be freely recombined, using a pre-established communication standard or a format agreed upon at combination time.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Andreas U. Kuehnle, Marton Gyori, Hans M. Molin, Karl H. Jones, Travis G. Ramler
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Patent number: 9758140Abstract: An electronic controller includes an electrical input and an electrical output. The electronic controller is adapted to receive an electronic status signal at the electrical input. The electronic status signal is indicative of a pneumatic pressure in a supply line communicating pneumatic fluid between a towing portion of a vehicle and a towed portion of the vehicle. The electronic controller is also adapted to transmit an electronic control signal from the electrical output to an associated valve, based on the electronic status signal, for controlling delivery of a pneumatic control signal from the towing portion of the vehicle to the towed portion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Charles E Eberling, Travis G Ramler
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Publication number: 20170174197Abstract: An electronic controller includes an electrical input and an electrical output. The electronic controller is adapted to receive an electronic status signal at the electrical input. The electronic status signal is indicative of a pneumatic pressure in a supply line communicating pneumatic fluid between a towing portion of a vehicle and a towed portion of the vehicle. The electronic controller is also adapted to transmit an electronic control signal from the electrical output to an associated valve, based on the electronic status signal, for controlling delivery of a pneumatic control signal from the towing portion of the vehicle to the towed portion of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Charles E. Eberling, Travis G. Ramler
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Publication number: 20160366336Abstract: When employing a multi-node computing architecture for commercial articulated vehicles to generate a composite surround view of the vehicle, each processing node is associated with a vehicle segment. Each node has its own processor, memory and sensors. A master-slave relationship exists in the architecture. The segment processors collect, format, manage and package their local information. Communication between nodes is controlled by the master node, which can limit, adjust, subsample and alter the information and information flow from the slave nodes. The slave nodes can be freely recombined, using a pre-established communication standard or a format agreed upon at combination time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Andreas U. Kuehnle, Marton Gyori, Hans M. Molin, Karl H. Jones, Travis G. Ramler
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Patent number: 9434366Abstract: A parking apparatus is provided for a vehicle. The apparatus comprises an electronic parking brake (EPB) valve having an air outlet port. The apparatus also comprises a pneumatic delivery line interconnecting the air outlet port of the EPB valve and a spring brake system to allow air pressure from the EPB valve to be applied to the spring brake system to maintain parking brakes of the vehicle in released position. The apparatus further comprises a normally-open solenoid valve having an air inlet port which is in communication with the delivery line which interconnects the air outlet port of the EPB valve and the spring brake system, wherein the solenoid valve is operable to vent air pressure from the delivery line and thereby to apply the spring brake system to park the vehicle in response to loss of electrical power to the solenoid valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: David J Taneyhill, Travis G Ramler, John J Kemer, Phillip J Kasper
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Publication number: 20150175139Abstract: A brake system and related components including a metering device are configured to regulate a control signal received from a brake control device such that a control valve delays the supply of a level of requested braking pressure for a prescribed amount of time. The metering device can be an inversion valve and orificed check valve in a control circuit adapted to allow relatively unrestricted flow until a threshold pressure is reached, after which pressure the inversion valve closes and the flow is metered through an orifice. This has the effect of allowing rapid brake actuation to a first level, and then slowing further application of the brake until full requested braking is achieved. An electronic control unit can also be configured to regulate a control signal to delay development of the requested brake pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Charles E. Eberling, James M. Hamar, Travis G. Ramler, John V. Ripley
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Patent number: 9002610Abstract: A brake system and related components including a metering device are configured to regulate a control signal received from a brake control device such that a control valve delays the supply of a level of requested braking pressure for a prescribed amount of time. The metering device can be an inversion valve and orificed check valve in a control circuit adapted to allow relatively unrestricted flow until a threshold pressure is reached, after which pressure the inversion valve closes and the flow is metered through an orifice. This has the effect of allowing rapid brake actuation to a first level, and then slowing further application of the brake until full requested braking is achieved. An electronic control unit can also be configured to regulate a control signal to delay development of the requested brake pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLCInventors: Charles E. Eberling, James M. Hamar, Travis G. Ramler, John V. Ripley
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Patent number: 8820856Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventors: Matthew E. Rogers, Travis G. Ramler, Timothy J. Frashure, David W. Howell
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Publication number: 20140054118Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Matthew E. Rogers, Travis G. Ramler, Timothy J. Frashure, David W. Howell
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Patent number: 8521389Abstract: Methods and valve arrangements for controlling the flow of pressurized air from a tractor to a trailer reservoir and to a trailer spring brake chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, pressurized air from a tractor is supplied from a tractor to the trailer reservoir and to the trailer spring brake in different filling modes based on a user input. In another exemplary embodiment, pressurized service air is used to charge or partially charge the trailer reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Travis G Ramler, Richard J. Conklin
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Publication number: 20130151105Abstract: A brake system and related components including a metering device are configured to regulate a control signal received from a brake control device such that a control valve delays the supply of a level of requested braking pressure for a prescribed amount of time. The metering device can be an inversion valve and orificed check valve in a control circuit adapted to allow relatively unrestricted flow until a threshold pressure is reached, after which pressure the inversion valve closes and the flow is metered through an orifice. This has the effect of allowing rapid brake actuation to a first level, and then slowing further application of the brake until full requested braking is achieved. An electronic control unit can also be configured to regulate a control signal to delay development of the requested brake pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventors: Charles E. Eberling, James M. Hamar, Travis G. Ramler, John V. Ripley
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Publication number: 20120285565Abstract: Methods and valve arrangements for controlling the flow of pressurized air from a tractor to a trailer reservoir and to a trailer spring brake chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, pressurized air from a tractor is supplied from a tractor to the trailer reservoir and to the trailer spring brake in different filling modes based on a user input. In another exemplary embodiment, pressurized service air is used to charge or partially charge the trailer reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Travis G. Ramler, Richard Conklin