Patents Issued in July 31, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140214226
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for control of power charge/discharge from energy storage system. The invention also provides for power monitoring and management. A smart charge system may include a system sensor, one or more energy storage units, and a controller, which may receive information about the power demand, power provided by an electricity provider, and charge/discharge information from an energy storage unit. The information received may all be time synchronized in relation to a time based reference. The controller may provide instructions to an energy storage unit at a rapid rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: STEM, INC
    Inventors: Stacey REINECCIUS, David ERHART, John SELLERS
  • Publication number: 20140214227
    Abstract: Dispatch engines service endpoints by transmitting dispatch signals to the serviced endpoints that cause the endpoints to adjust their electric power consumption from the electric power grid in accord with a control signal received by the dispatch engine. A market interface dispatch engine receives its control signal from an electric power grid managing entity, and downstream dispatch engines form a hierarchy cascading downstream from the market interface dispatch engine with each downstream dispatch engine being an endpoint serviced by a dispatch engine located upstream in the hierarchy. The control signal received by each downstream dispatch engine comprises dispatch signals transmitted by the upstream dispatch engine. The endpoints further include electric power-consuming loads. A suitable load controller comprises separate power interface and logic elements operatively connected to define the load controller, with the logic element powered by low voltage DC power received from the power interface element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Douglas Thornton, Eric Rehberg, Lauren Adams
  • Publication number: 20140214228
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Park, James Owen, Carl Mansfield, David Elrod
  • Publication number: 20140214229
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to energy management. Home energy management (HEM) devices are directed from a central control system to modify energy usage among appliances/loads within individual homes to meet energy source demand limitations. The HEM devices may work in cooperation with a group of such devices as a unit to negotiate with the central control system and then individually to control energy usage for their separately controlled home appliances/loads to meet group negotiated aggregate energy usage modification, for example, usage reductions so as to minimized peak usage demands on the energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Jerome Burke, Jeff Donald Drake, Charles Ray Smith, David Joseph Najewicz
  • Publication number: 20140214230
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for operating a micro inverter using power point tracking is provided. The method includes calculating a change in input power over at least one previous grid cycle, calculating a change in an output current reference over the at least one previous grid cycle, and controlling the output current reference based on the change in input power over the at least one previous grid cycle and the change in the output current reference over the at least one previous grid cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vijay Dayaldas Gurudasani, Remesh Kumar Keeramthode, Jeyaprakash Kandasamy, N V S Kumar Srighakollapu, Rekha Kandiyil Raveendran
  • Publication number: 20140214231
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Parsonnet, Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Publication number: 20140214232
    Abstract: A network monitoring device for a supply network and a method for actuating a switch unit are disclosed, wherein the switch unit can control the energy supply of a consumer connected to a supply network. In order to prevent an overload of the supply network or of parts thereof, according to an embodiment of the invention, the network monitoring device includes a communication device, wherein the network monitoring device can receive a switch command for a switch unit via the communication device and transmit same to the switch unit, wherein the network monitoring device is designed to determine a network utilization of the supply network by way of a measurement device and, in dependence on the determined network utilization, to influence a received switch command for the switch unit, which would lead to increased energy consumption on the supply network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bardo Koppmann, Andreas Krätzschmar
  • Publication number: 20140214233
    Abstract: An in-vehicle ECU is provided that minimizes electric power consumption while an internal microcomputer does not need to operate. Furthermore, a power supply IC stops supplying an operation power from a power supply output unit in a pre-OFF mode, and restarts the supply of the operation power to the microcomputer when an OR gate output signal is “H”. A CPU of the microcomputer, if, at the time of the restart of the operation power after the pre-OFF mode was set, a predetermined time has elapsed since the pre-OFF mode was set, without any change in an activation factor, which is to serve as a factor for activating the microcomputer, based on whether or not there is a temporal change in external input information, outputs a power supply control signal of “H” in order to execute a power supply stop operation for stopping supplying electric power to ECUs subjected to power supply control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Akiyo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140214234
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface is operable to wirelessly transmit instructions to one or more mobile drive units. The processor is communicatively coupled to the interface and is operable to instruct a mobile drive unit to transport a first shipping container storing at least one completed order to a shipping station, instruct the mobile drive unit to connect the first shipping container to a second shipping container to form a group of connected shipping containers. The processor is also operable to detect a trigger event, and in response to detecting the trigger event, coordinate movement of one or more mobile drive units to transport the group of connected shipping containers onto a vehicle for shipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140214235
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a plurality of machines operating at a worksite. The control system may have a plurality of communicating devices, and a plurality of onboard controllers, each mountable to the plurality of machines. The control system may also have an offboard controller in communication with the plurality of onboard controllers via the plurality of communicating devices. The offboard controller may be configured to selectively assign each of a plurality of sequentially arranged dump targets for use by each of the plurality of machines based on an order in which the plurality of machines arrive at a dump location. The offboard controller may be further configured to make a determination that lanes extending to two dump targets of the plurality of sequentially arranged dump targets overlap, and selectively skip assignment of one of the two dump targets based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Ananth P. KINI, Joshua C. STRUBLE, Andrew J. VITALE, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Bryan J. EVERETT, Mark H. C. BANHAM, Dean G. POVEY, Matthew A. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20140214236
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine at a worksite. The control system may have an offboard controller. The offboard controller may be configured to receive information regarding a berm at the worksite, determine starting and ending points spaced apart along an edge of the berm based on the information, and determine a maximum orthogonal distance from a virtual line extending between the starting and ending points to the edge of the berm. The offboard controller may be further configured to selectively validate the starting and ending points based on the maximum orthogonal distance, and to designate a center of the virtual line between validated starting and ending points as a dump target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Ananth P. KINI, Joshua C. STRUBLE, Andrew J. VITALE, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Bryan J. EVERETT, Mark H. C. BANHAM, Dean G. POVEY, Matthew A. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20140214237
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The control system may have a communicating device, a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the machine, a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of contact of the machine with a berm, and an onboard controller. The control system may also have an offboard controller configured to generate a first set of coordinates of a dump target, and to assign the first set of coordinates to the onboard controller for use in controlling the machine. The offboard controller may also be configured to detect contact of the machine with the berm based on the second signal during reverse travel toward the dump target, and to generate a second set of coordinates of the dump target to correspond with a location of the machine at a time of contact detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ananth P. KINI, Joshua C. STRUBLE, Andrew J. VITALE, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Bryan J. EVERETT, Mark H. C. BANHAM, Dean G. POVEY, Matthew A. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20140214238
    Abstract: A data management system is disclosed for use with a plurality of machines operating at a worksite. The data management system may have a plurality of onboard sensory devices, each configured to generate data regarding at least one of machine performance and worksite conditions. The data management system may also have a plurality of onboard locating devices, each configured to generate a machine location signal. The data management system may further have a plurality of onboard communication devices, and a worksite controller. The worksite controller may be configured to receive the data and the machine location signals from onboard the plurality of machines via the plurality of communication devices, trigger an event based on the data received from onboard at least a first of the plurality of machines, and selectively retrieve data from at least a second of the plurality of machines based on event triggering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. BRAUNSTEIN, Aaron M. DONNELLI
  • Publication number: 20140214239
    Abstract: An unmanned systems operator control system includes a hand held controller with a set of switches and control enumeration software specially configured to report a superset of virtual switches based on the physical switches. A core unit includes a first unmanned system control application subscribing to a first switch subset of the superset and outputting commands controlling a first unmanned system based on activation of the set of switches. A second unmanned system control application subscribes to a second switch subset of the superset and outputs commands controlling a second unmanned system based on activation of the set of switches. A mode switching subsystem is configured, in a first state, to map the set of switches to the first switch subset and, in a second state, to map the set of switches to the second switch subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: QinetiQ North America, Inc.
    Inventor: QinetiQ North America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140214240
    Abstract: A remote operator station for controlling an operation of a machine is disclosed. The remote operator station comprises a display device, a plurality of control devices, and a controller communicably coupled to the display device and the control devices. The controller is configured to display a list of types of machines capable of being operated remotely. The controller receives an input indicative of a machine selected from the list. The controller determines a plurality of functionalities associated with the operation of the selected machine. The controller maps the determined functionalities to the plurality of control devices and further displays the mapped functionalities associated with the control devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
  • Publication number: 20140214241
    Abstract: The embodiment provides a method for remotely activating an event in a vehicle using a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) network. The method includes establishing a WFD based connection with an electronic device in the WFD network and receiving information associated with the vehicle using the WFD based connection. Further, the method includes remotely activating the events in the vehicle based on the information associated with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Kumaralingam Ramamoorthy, Vengadassalabady Ramanouudjam, Rahul Ganapathy Subramaniam, Joy Esther Samuel
  • Publication number: 20140214242
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to providing information on a battery charge state of a parked electric vehicle through at least one of one or more light lamps and one or more speakers of the parked electric vehicle. Particularly, the disclosure may control at least one of a lamp light color, a lamp blink pattern, and a sound pattern according to the battery charge state information such that a user can recognize the battery charge state away from the electric vehicle through hearing and/or vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: KT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong-Seob SEO, Jung-Guen KIM, Myung-Woo SEO
  • Publication number: 20140214243
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the formation flight of a trailing aircraft relative to a vortex generated by a leading aircraft includes a position module, peak-seeking module, limiter module, and control module. The position module is configured to determine a position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft. The peak-seeking module is configured to determine a desired position of the trailing aircraft for providing desired vortex-induced aerodynamic benefits based on the position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft and a mapping function of an individual performance metric. The limiter module is configured to modify the desired position of the trailing aircraft to avoid unintended crossings of the trailing aircraft into the vortex. Finally, the control module is configured to control flight of the trailing aircraft based on one of the desired position of the trailing aircraft and modified desired position of the trailing aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Publication number: 20140214244
    Abstract: An electronic board for avionics equipment, the board comprising a printed circuit, a reinforcing surround and board retention means. In order to improve the vibration resistance of the board, the board further comprises vibration damping means interposed between the reinforcing surround and the retention means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Vincent Rebeyrotte, Jonathan Carcone
  • Publication number: 20140214245
    Abstract: The system according to the invention comprises a display and a synthetic image dynamic generating assembly. It includes a management assembly for the graphic interface of the display, capable of controlling the dynamic display, on a first region of the display, of a synthetic image and able to maintain, in certain movement configurations of the aircraft, a second region of the display delimited by the edge substantially with no synthetic surface representation of the terrain. The management assembly includes means for dynamically delimiting the edge of the first region. The delimiting means are configured to dynamically compute the position of the edge as a function of a determined visibility distance (DV), taken relative to the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Dassault Aviation
    Inventors: Olivier BAUDSON, Arnaud TURPIN
  • Publication number: 20140214246
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying that the flight crew has not made an error in entering takeoff flight performance data into the flight management system (FMS) using the electronic flight bag (EFB). The EFB includes a user interface that receives basic flight plan information and a processor. The processor automatically receives calculated takeoff performance data based on a previously entered basic flight plan, automatically receives user-entered takeoff performance data from a flight management system (FMS) located on a host aircraft, automatically compares the calculated takeoff performance data to the received takeoff performance data, and generates an entry error indication, if the comparison indicates that at least a portion of the entered takeoff performance data does not match the calculated takeoff performance data. An output device outputs the generated entry error indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONALL INC.
    Inventors: Steve Johnson, Yasuo Ishihara, Kevin J. Conner, Robert A. Champion
  • Publication number: 20140214247
    Abstract: A train control system of the present invention capable of controlling a train in a plurality of drive modes by a single on-board device, includes an on-board device 4 mounted on a train 2 traveling on a predetermined track 1; a continuous ATP processing unit 11 and an intermittent ATP processing unit 10 that is provided in the on-board device 4 and simultaneously performs processes in a continuous ATP drive mode by a continuous ATP system and an intermittent ATP drive mode by an intermittent ATP system; and a drive mode determining unit 12 that selects either one of process results to be used in a travel control, of the continuous ATP processing unit 11 and the intermittent ATP processing unit 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: THE NIPPON SIGNAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi MYOKEI
  • Publication number: 20140214248
    Abstract: A train control system of the present invention includes: an on-board device 1 that is mounted on a train and has an vehicle radio set VRS1 capable of performing wireless communication; fixed radio sets (WRS1 to WRS7, and SRS1) that are disposed along the railroad track R and capable of performing wireless communication by a time division multiple access method with the vehicle radio set VRS1; and a ground device 2 that calculates distance from a train A to a stop point before a preceding train B on the basis of the location information of the train A obtained by the wireless communication between the vehicle radio set VRS1 and the fixed radio set. The on-board device 1 generates a stop pattern on the basis of the distance, and performs a travel control so that the train A travels at a speed equal to or less than the stop pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: THE NIPPON SIGNAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20140214249
    Abstract: This device is an ultra-thin vehicle where no more than twenty five percent of its solar array extends beyond the vehicle when it is being driven and the solar array is undeployed. However, this same solar array will cover an area at least twice as large as the vehicle when it is parked and the array is fully deployed. This solar array is also designed to make it possible to easily orient it towards the sun during the majority of time when it is parked. Hence, solar power can be the primary source of power for a typical driver due to the lowered power needs of this tapered ultrathin vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin David Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140214250
    Abstract: A battery charge/discharge control device which performs battery charge/discharge control in a working machine with a battery capable of storing electric energy generated by a generator motor coupled to an engine and driving the generator motor or at least one of other electric actuators by the stored electric energy and a controller which controls a distribution of the electric energy among the battery, the generator motor, and the electric actuator, wherein the controller performs the charge/discharge control in which the electric energy of the battery is discharged when the engine is driven and recharging to the battery is permitted on a condition that a state in which an engine speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined engine speed is maintained for a predetermined time after the battery is completely discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Murakami, Tadashi Kawaguchi, Makoto Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20140214251
    Abstract: A power source system for a vehicle includes a first power storage device, a second power storage device, a voltage converter, and a controller. The controller is configured to (a) execute a charging control in which the second power storage device is charged by the voltage converter when a parking time of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined period of time, (b) estimate a decrease amount in a state of charge of the first power storage device in a time period from after elapse of the predetermined period of time until a start of the vehicle, (c) set a lower limit of the state of charge based on the decrease amount, and (d) not execute the charging control when the state of charge is lower than the lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinobu SUGIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140214252
    Abstract: Start notification is performed at appropriate timing by vehicle having braking force holding function to hold braking force even if brake application operation by driver is deactivated. Vehicle start notification control device includes speaker for performing start notification to notify behavior related to start of vehicle to surroundings of vehicle, control section for applying braking force to vehicle, corresponding to brake applying operation by driver of vehicle and performing control to hold braking force of vehicle even if brake applying operation is deactivated, and braking force holding flag setting section for setting ON or OFF of braking force holding flag for holding braking force of vehicle even if brake applying operation is deactivated. Control section controls speaker to perform start notification if both brake applying operation and ON setting of braking force holding flag are deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki KOIKE, Yoshikazu IMURA
  • Publication number: 20140214253
    Abstract: A construction machine is provided with management units (11, 12) configured to control the construction machine based on a plurality of limited power modes prescribed to control the output of a battery pack (18), and calculate an amount of electric power stored in the battery pack in each of the limited power modes based on specification information about the battery pack, on the state of charge of the battery pack, and on limited power and an operating voltage prescribed for each of the limited power modes; and a display device (14) configured to display the amount of electric power in each of the limited power modes based on the amount of electric power calculated by the management units. This allows the amount of electric power in the unselected limited power modes to be displayed and facilitates battery replacement work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Takeshi Inoue, Motoo Futami, Ken Takeuchi, Kei Sakabe
  • Publication number: 20140214254
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor generator for generating driving power for running by using electric power from a power storage device, and an ECU for controlling the motor generator. When user request power is substantially constant, the ECU causes an interval operation of running the vehicle to be performed, the interval operation switching between a first running pattern (coasting running) in which the generation of the driving power by the motor generator is stopped and the vehicle runs with inertial force of the vehicle, and a second running pattern (acceleration running) in which the vehicle runs with the driving power generated by the motor generator. As a result, energy efficiency of the vehicle is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Amano
  • Publication number: 20140214255
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to modeling a vehicle's view of its environment. This view need not include what objects or features the vehicle is actually seeing, but rather those areas that the vehicle is able to observe using its sensors if the sensors were completely un-occluded. For example, for each of a plurality of sensors of the object detection component, a computer may an individual 3D model of that sensor's field of view. Weather information is received and used to adjust one or more of the models. After this adjusting, the models may be aggregated into a comprehensive 3D model. The comprehensive model may be combined with detailed map information indicating the probability of detecting objects at different locations. A model of the vehicle's environment may be computed based on the combined comprehensive 3D model and detailed map information and may be used to maneuver the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Google Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140214256
    Abstract: A steering system for an autonomously driven vehicle and methods of steering the vehicle are disclosed. A brake device is operable in a first phase to brake the vehicle when a power steering controller is in a first mode and operable in a second phase to steer the vehicle when the power steering controller is in a second mode. A main controller is in communication with a friction device to signal the friction device to actuate to a disengaged position when the power steering controller is in the first mode and the brake device is in the first phase, and signal the friction device to actuate to an engaged position to secure a steering wheel in an initial position when the power steering controller is in the second mode and the brake device is in the second phase to allow the brake device to steer the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Rosol, David M. Sidlosky, Robert W. Leschuk, Eric L. Raphael, Scott R. Kloess, Yat-Chung Tang, John T. Zuzelski
  • Publication number: 20140214257
    Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating quantum computing systems into mobile systems for the purpose of providing real-time, quantum computer-based control of the mobile systems are described. A mobile system includes a data extraction subsystem that extracts data from an external environment of the mobile system and a quantum computing subsystem that receives data from the data extraction subsystem and performs a quantum computing operation in real-time using the data from the data extraction subsystem. A result of the quantum computing operation influences a behavior of the mobile system, such as the navigation of the mobile system or an action performed by the mobile system. The on-board quantum computing subsystem includes on-board quantum computing infrastructure that is adapted to suit the needs and spatial constraints of the mobile system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: D-Wave Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Colin P. Williams, Jeremy P. Hilton
  • Publication number: 20140214258
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using unique landmarks to position industrial vehicles during start-up. In one embodiment, a method of using pre-positioned objects as landmarks to operate an industrial vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a start-up scenario from sensor data, wherein the start-up scenario comprises a unique marker start-up or a pre-positioned object start-up. in response to the identified start-up scenario, either a unique marker or pre-positioned object is identified within a physical environment, wherein the pre-positioned object or unique marker corresponds with a sub-area of the physical environment. The industrial vehicle pose is determined in response to the identity of the pre-positioned object or unique marker and the industrial vehicle is operated based on the determined industrial vehicle pose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Crown Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Lisa Wong, Andrew Evan Graham, Christopher W. Goode, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20140214259
    Abstract: An autonomous controller for a vehicle. The controller has a processor configured to receive position signals from position sensors and to generate operation control signals defining an updated travel path for the vehicle. The controller has a programmable interface providing communication among the position sensors, the operation control mechanisms, and the processor. The controller is configured to normalize inputs to the processor from the position sensors and to generate compatible operation control signals applied as the inputs to the operation control mechanisms. The processor and the programmable interface define a self-contained unit configurable for operation with a variety of different remote sensors and different remote operation control mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GRAY & COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Trepagnier, Jorge Emilio Nagel, Matthew Taylor Dooner, Michael Thomas Dewenter, Neil Michael Traft, Sergey Drakunov, Powell Kinney, Aaron Lee
  • Publication number: 20140214260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for an assistance system that serves to perform an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving maneuver of a vehicle, e.g., a parking assistance system in a vehicle, wherein by means of a camera system, image data are acquired from the surroundings of a vehicle and processed in order to perform the driving maneuver. At least one direction in which the vehicle moves when performing the driving maneuver is indicated by means of at least one light signal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Alfred Eckert, Ronald Bayer, Stefan Lueke, Bernd Piller, Georg Halasy-Wimmer
  • Publication number: 20140214261
    Abstract: The embodiment provides a method for remotely monitoring a vehicle using a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) network. The method includes establishing a WFD based connection with an electronic device in the WFD network and receiving information associated with the vehicle using the WFD based connection. Further, the method includes analyzing the received information based on a plurality of rules and displaying the analyzed information in the WFD network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HCL Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Kumaralingam Ramamoorthy, Vengadassalabady Ramanouudjam, Rahul Ganapathy Subramaniam, Joy Esther Samuel
  • Publication number: 20140214262
    Abstract: An insulated state detection device includes a positive-side input terminal, a negative-side input terminal, a ground electrode, a ground fault resistance value calculation unit, a measuring state identification unit a tuning information generation unit that generates a timing information, automatically updates a value of the timing information by a predetermined value each time the ground fault resistance value calculation unit generates a new insulation resistance value, and reflects a state of the identification of the measuring state identification unit on the value of the timing information, and an information transmission unit that transmits the insulation resistance value calculated by the ground fault resistance value calculation unit and the timing information generated by the timing information generation unit to a host control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi IWANABE, Misaki KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20140214263
    Abstract: Assistance in the maintenance of an aircraft system comprising a set of elements, means for detecting faults of elements or of functions implemented by elements and means for establishing a first level of diagnostic. After having detected a fault, a plurality of elements are identified, each element of that plurality of elements being liable to be at the origin of the detected fault, alone or in combination with at least one other element of that plurality of elements. A probability that the element considered is at the origin of said detected fault is then determined for each element of that plurality of elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Patrice Boucher, Nicolas Wacyk
  • Publication number: 20140214264
    Abstract: A system to provided coordinated data transmission triggers is disclosed. The system may be termed as Vital Information Management System (VIMS). The VIMS may operate on the basis of certain data transmission triggers. The VIMS may further use a cellular, satellite or Wi-Fi network for the wireless communication of vehicle information. The data transmission triggers may include data transmission triggers based on time and/or time independent data transmission triggers. Examples of the data transmission triggers may be a trigger based on vehicle speed parameter, a trigger based on proximity to specified location(s) and the like. The time based data transmission triggers may send the one or more data signals after a predefined time interval. Whereas the time independent data transmission triggers may send one or more data signals as soon as the event associated with the data transmission triggers is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J Campagna, Ryan N CHURN
  • Publication number: 20140214265
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an apparatus and method for determining a drift of a vehicle. In one aspect, a vehicle testing apparatus for determining a drift of a vehicle from trajectory data indicative of a trajectory of the vehicle during a drift test comprises: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory to: determine an initial local vehicle heading based on an initial trajectory dataset of the trajectory data, and determine, for the vehicle, an amount of drift indicative of a deviation of the vehicle from the initial local vehicle heading based on a comparison between the initial local vehicle heading and a drift test dataset of the trajectory data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan S. Ashton, David T. Zdeb
  • Publication number: 20140214266
    Abstract: Systems, media, and methods are provided for oscillation monitoring. An aircraft system includes a first oscillation monitoring module and a second oscillation monitoring module. The first oscillation monitoring module is configured to select first oscillating portions of an input signal, generate a frequency signal that indicates a frequency of the first oscillating portions, and generate a first failure signal in response to the frequency of the first oscillating portions exceeding first oscillatory fault detection requirements for the input signal. The second oscillation monitoring module is configured to select second oscillating portions of the input signal based on the frequency signal generated by the first oscillation monitoring module and to generate a second failure signal in response to a frequency of the second oscillating portions exceeding second oscillatory fault detection requirements for the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Ventseslav Rashkov, Michael Curtis
  • Publication number: 20140214267
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle, a vehicle and a server are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Stefan SELLSCHOPP
  • Publication number: 20140214268
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a vehicle system having an electric machine and a battery. The electric machine is configured to provide drive torque and the battery supplies power to the electric machine. The vehicle also includes a controller that is configured to generate output indicative of at least one of a battery power capability and a battery state of charge using a filter having a variable EKF gain factor based on battery temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Xu Wang
  • Publication number: 20140214269
    Abstract: A technique for determining an actuating force applied to a vehicle brake is described, wherein the vehicle brake is equipped with an electromechanical brake actuator, and wherein a first actuating-force component is generated mechanically by actuating the electromechanical brake actuator and a second actuating-force component is generated hydraulically by actuating a hydraulic pressure source. A method aspect comprises the steps of detecting a first parameter relative to the electromechanical brake actuator and indicating the first actuating-force component, determining a second parameter indicating the second actuating-force component from a progression of the detected first parameter, and determining the actuating force applied to the vehicle brake from the first and the second parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Josep Knechtges
  • Publication number: 20140214270
    Abstract: An automotive camera system and a data processing method based on its shooting angles synchronizing with automotive speeds are provided. The method comprises the following steps: obtain a current velocity value through a velocity acquisition device; determine a corresponding automotive speed grade; look up a prestored correspondence relationship table and finding out a synchronized camera lens zoom number synchronizing with automotive speed grades; control a camera focal motor zooming a camera lens to the number, and achieving the synchronization of the shooting angle and the automotive speed. When applying the camera system and the method as stated in the present invention, the distant road can be clearly seen in high speed driving, and dangers can be found ahead in advance, thus improves the driving safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Min ZHUANG, Peng LU
  • Publication number: 20140214271
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for detecting an obstacle adaptively to vehicle speed. The apparatus includes a control unit, a speed-adaptive camera sensor, a speed-adaptive laser scanner sensor, and a detection data integration unit. The control unit receives information about the speed of a vehicle and a Pulse Per Second (PPS) signal from a Global Positioning System (GPS) module. The speed-adaptive camera sensor adjusts the range of a detection region based on the information about the speed of the vehicle, and generates first detection data on an object. The speed-adaptive laser scanner sensor adjusts the range of the angle of the field of view of a laser scanner based on the information about the speed of the vehicle, and generates second detection data on the object. The detection data integration unit outputs obstacle detection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun-Kyun CHOI, Kyung-Bok SUNG, Dong-Yong KWAK, Dong-Sun LIM
  • Publication number: 20140214272
    Abstract: An assembly for a motor vehicle, this assembly comprising at least a visible element at least partially visible from the outside of the motor vehicle when the visible element is installed on the motor vehicle, the visible element being able to present selectively at least a first appearance and a second appearances, these first and second appearances being able to remain in the absence of the input of energy, notable of electrical energy, to the visible element, the visible element being arranged to provoke the transition from the first appearance to the second appearance in the response to a command; and an actuator arranged to send the command to provoke the transition from the first appearance to the second appearance of the visible element, the actuator being able to be used, in normal usage, outside the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Pierre ALBOU, Jean-Claude PUENTE
  • Publication number: 20140214273
    Abstract: An output signal device and method that provides the operator force feedback similar to a pilot control joystick. These force feedback regions include free play, dead-band start of modulation, modulation, fore-warning bumper and hold near max angle. This output signal device may also vary the fore-warning feel and hold positions to be at any angle. This output signal device uses force sensing as the signal and has force slope changes used as auto-calibration of the output signal. This improves signal accuracy and provides a service prognostic signal. The prognostic signal may be used to activate redundant sensor. The variable force feedback may improve operation on rough terrain. The force feedback, may allow more productive operating positions to be learned. This enables productivity and other important job site criteria such as fuel usage to be optimized by interactive communication with this output signal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Prince Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Paul Smith, Chun Feng Xia, Lukasz Grzegorz Osikowicz
  • Publication number: 20140214274
    Abstract: Disclosed is a damping force control device for a vehicle that controls the damping coefficient of a damping force generation device on the basis of a final target control amount that is based on the target control amount for attitude control, which suppresses changes in the vehicle body attitude in at least the rolling direction, and the target control amount for riding comfort control, which increases riding comfort with regards to vehicle body vibrations in at least the rolling direction. The target control amount for riding comfort control is a control amount calculated as the total of a fixed basic control amount and a variable control amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yanqing LIU, Yuichi MIZUTA, Motohiko HONMA, Jin HOZUMI, Masaaki TABATA
  • Publication number: 20140214275
    Abstract: A steering controller can control steering of a vehicle and is suitable for precision farm controlling. The steering controller can rotate the steering shaft of the vehicle direct the vehicle on a desired path, for example, using a satellite positioning system. Components of the steering controller are environmental protected by a housing that has an opening extending between its front and rear surfaces. The opening is lined by a shaft. A hub located near the front of the opening can be coupled to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A motor has a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor fixed to the hub. When the housing is attached to a fixed location on the vehicle, the motor can rotate the steering shaft by rotating the hub with respect to the housing. A control module drives the motor based on commands from a guidance module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HEMISPHERE GPS LLC
    Inventors: Steve Miller, Brian Ganz, James Hutchings, Charles D. Syverson