Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
  • Patent number: 8849518
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically angularly positioning wheels of an automotive vehicle after parking. The system disclosed here includes a power-assisted steering system coupled to the wheels. Further, the system includes a controller, coupled to the steering system, which is configured to automatically position the wheels in a desired direction, based on a determination that the vehicle is parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barney D. Nefcy, Marvin Paul Kraska, Walt Joseph Ortmann, Brian ‘Ninja’ Soo, Dan Scott Colvin, David Tourner
  • Patent number: 8849519
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that an infotainment system has been activated. The method further includes accessing a vehicle network containing at least a unique vehicle identifier. The method additionally includes comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier. The method further includes permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Westra, Chad Evert Esselink, Uwe Zank, Simon John William Hurr
  • Patent number: 8849520
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 8849521
    Abstract: Provided is a tractor which allows continuation of a plowing work by appropriately elevating a plow when slip occurs in wheels. The tractor includes draft controlling means (34) for elevating the plow to a target machine body level value obtained by making reference to control information with a draft load value detected by a draft load sensor (S). The control information is set based on a target plowing depth set when the plow was set to a target plowing depth and a draft load value. When a slip ratio detected by a slip ratio acquiring means (37) exceeds a threshold value, in place of previously set control information, there is newly set control information which renders higher the target machine body level relative to a same draft load value, thereby to elevate the plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Shinnosuke Ishikawa, Eiji Nishi, Nobuyuki Okabe, Kenichiro Yagi
  • Patent number: 8849522
    Abstract: A system incorporating one or more interrogators or readers on heavy construction equipment (e.g., loaders) detect signals emanating from signal transmitters on clothing or equipment of construction workers. Responsive to the detection of a signal emanating from behind the heavy equipment, or in another position relative to the heavy equipment, the driver is notified audibly of the danger such that the driver may stop the movement of the heavy equipment or causes the brakes to be applied and transmission to be disengaged automatically without operator involvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 8849523
    Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8849524
    Abstract: A vehicular shift control apparatus configured to control a speed ratio of a belt-type transmission having first and second variable-diameter pulleys, and a transmission belt wound between the first and second variable-diameter pulleys, by controlling hydraulic pressures to be applied to respective hydraulic cylinders of said first and second variable-diameter pulleys, according to respective commanded hydraulic pressure values of the first and second variable-diameter pulleys, such that the speed ratio coincides with a target value, the vehicular shift control apparatus includes a shift control portion configured to be operable, when a first-variable-diameter-pulley hold pressure which permits the speed ratio of said belt-type transmission to be held at the target value in a shift-down action is determined as said commanded hydraulic pressure value of the first variable-diameter pulley, to temporarily reduce said commanded hydraulic pressure value with respect to said first-variable-diameter-pulley hold pres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Hattori, Shinya Toyoda, Taira Iraha
  • Patent number: 8849525
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit provides an automatic mode that automatically determines a gear ratio in accordance with an operational status of a vehicle and a temporary manual mode that, with a driver's operation, selects any one predetermined gear ratio from among predetermined gear ratios set in advance and automatically switches a mode of operation to the automatic mode according to the operational status of the vehicle. When switching a mode of operation from the automatic mode to the temporary manual mode through a downshift operation that changes a gear ratio to a lower one in a transmission and an engine speed is lower than a reference rotational speed set in accordance with a vehicle speed, the vehicle control unit selects any one of the predetermined gear ratios such that the engine speed is equal to or more than the reference rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Nishida, Koichi Inoue, Hiroki Tanaka, Keisuke Ajimoto, Shinya Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 8849526
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a transmission, the latter of which includes a controller which executes an adaptive speed-based control method. The transmission includes gear sets each having multiple nodes, an input member continuously connected to the engine and to one of the gear sets, and a binary clutch assembly connected to the same gear set as the input member. The controller is programmed to detect a requested transmission shift into an engine braking state while the vehicle is coasting. The controller also commands an increase in engine speed to a target engine speed in response to the requested shift, and applied the binary clutch assembly when the engine output speed reaches the target engine speed. The controller calculates slip across the binary clutch assembly and adjusts the target engine speed as needed over time until the target slip is achieved at the target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8849527
    Abstract: A machine may include a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively coupled to a power source. A virtual gear ratio may be selected from a plurality of virtual gear ratios associated with the CVT. A power source speed may be locked between a minimum power source limit and a maximum power source limit that are associated with the selected virtual gear ratio. If the virtual gear ratio is changed, a controller including one or more control maps may compare the power source speed as locked to the minimum power source limit and the maximum power source limit as they relate to the newly selected virtual gear ratio. If power source speed is outside the minimum or maximum power source limits, the method may limit the power source speed. In some embodiments, the minimum and/or maximum power source limits may vary with respect to the plurality of virtual gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Steven Ott
  • Patent number: 8849528
    Abstract: A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8849529
    Abstract: A method for determining the contact point for a clutch in a vehicle comprising an engine, a clutch, powered wheels and a gearbox. The gearbox has a first gearbox component which is connected to the clutch and disconnectable from the powered wheels. The method steps include estimating (405) a friction torque for the first gearbox component, whereby the torque transmitted by the clutch is a function of estimated friction torque, closing (407) the clutch, whereby a representation of a torque transmitted by the clutch is determined for a plurality of positions for the clutch, determining (409) the contact point by means of the determined representation of torque transmitted, and the further step (402), before the closure of the clutch, of accelerating the first gearbox component if its rotation speed is below a certain value. Also a system and a vehicle for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Peter Juhlin-Dannfelt
  • Patent number: 8849530
    Abstract: Clutch control values are determined via a method in a vehicle during a power-on upshift. Pressure to an offgoing clutch is decreased to a calibrated holding pressure after onset of the upshift. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) logic of a controller is used to introduce a calibrated error into a pressure command to the offgoing clutch during fill of the oncoming clutch. This causes a calibrated slip to occur across the offgoing clutch, and a resultant threshold amount of flare to occur in turbine speed. The slip and flare are held using the PID logic. The pressure/torque relationship of the offgoing clutch is recorded. A fill level of the oncoming clutch is determined using a trajectory of an integrator term of the PID logic. A control value of the oncoming or the offgoing clutch is adjusted using at least one of the fill level, the recorded clutch pressure, and the recorded clutch torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Patent number: 8849531
    Abstract: A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) paired with an engine in a vehicle includes assessing whether the vehicle is being accelerated and ascertaining whether a position of a vehicle accelerator during the acceleration is maintained within a predetermined range. The method also includes identifying a DCT clutch that is being slipped during the acceleration, determining an amount of time remaining until the clutch stops slipping, and comparing a first preset time span indicative of the time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature with the amount of time remaining until the clutch stops slipping. The method additionally includes setting a time delay for activating an indicator if the amount of time remaining until the clutchs stops slipping is greater than the first preset time span. Furthermore, the method includes activating the indicator after the time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph B. Burtch
  • Patent number: 8849532
    Abstract: A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an engine in a vehicle. The method includes assessing whether the vehicle is being accelerated and identifying a DCT clutch slipping during the acceleration. The method also includes determining vehicle parameters, determining an amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping using the determined vehicle parameters, and determining an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes comparing the determined amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping with the determined amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator if the determined amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is less than the determined amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph B. Burtch
  • Patent number: 8849533
    Abstract: A method of searching for the touch point of a clutch includes a gear release determination step of determining whether the gear of a non-drive shaft has been released after a change of speed, a clutch operation step of, if the gear has been released, engaging a clutch connected to the non-drive shaft up to a current touch point, and a learning step of determining and learning the propriety of the current touch point depending on changes in the speed of the non-drive shaft after the clutch operation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Sung Hyun Cho, Joung Chul Kim, Seung Sam Baek
  • Patent number: 8849534
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided which is designed to stop or restart an engine automatically. The system is equipped with a vehicle speed determining circuit which determines the speed of the vehicle and has a dead zone around where a real speed of the vehicle is zero. The vehicle speed determining circuit has a characteristic in which when falling in the dead zone, the determined speed shows zero. When the determined speed is zero, and the real speed is expected to have dropped to zero, the system applies a first braking force to the wheel to keep the vehicle stopped. When the determined speed has become zero following the automatic stop of the engine, the system applies a second braking force smaller in magnitude than the first braking force to the wheel, thereby decelerating the vehicle slowly to avoid unexpected sudden deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Saito
  • Patent number: 8849535
    Abstract: In a machine having an electro-hydraulic brake valve, issues in providing a desired brake pressure may be determined by comparing an actual brake output pressure of the brake valve to an acceptable brake pressure range for an output brake command current provided to the brake valve to generate the desired brake pressure. Where the actual brake output pressure is outside the acceptable brake pressure range, the brake pressure difference and time-rate-of-change of the brake pressure may be used to determine a weighted brake pressure difference that is accumulated over a series of sample cycles and compared to an integration limit to determine whether the operator should be warned of the brake pressure difference. The integration limit may be based on a factor indicative of the responsiveness of the machine, such as the oil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Dabbs
  • Patent number: 8849536
    Abstract: A system and device and a method for controlling an electrohydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle especially adapted for brake by wire applications. The embodiments carryout position control of an actuator of an electronically activatable pressure supply unit based on the actuator position actual value and on and actuator position reference value which is determined on the basis of a pressure reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Böhm, Tom Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8849537
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for controlling the stability of a vehicle via in-wheel motors. More specifically, a steering angle, a wheel speed, a lateral G-Force, and a yaw rate calculated, and the lateral G-Force is compared with a predetermined lateral G-Force threshold. Next, a predetermined yaw rate control threshold is compared with a difference between an actual yaw rate and a demand yaw rate based on the calculated steering angle and wheel speed. The demand yaw rate and the actual yaw rate are then compared when the difference between the demand yaw rate and the actual yaw rate is greater than the yaw rate control threshold, and a final torque value is generated according to the difference between the demand yaw rate and the actual yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sangyon Yoon
  • Patent number: 8849538
    Abstract: A torque distribution apparatus includes an instructed torque acquiring unit that acquires input instructed torque, a determining unit that determines whether to perform power running control or regenerative braking, an efficiency map acquiring unit that based on a determination result, acquires a motor efficiency map, a vehicular speed detecting unit, a drive wheel rotational speed detecting, a slip rate calculating unit that calculates slip rate at drive wheels, a calculating unit that based on the slip rate, creates an efficiency variation expression that indicates efficiency values on a performance curve that indicates relations between drive wheel rotational speed and torque, a distributing unit that calculates based on the slip rate, the instructed torque, and the torque optimizing efficiency, torque distribution values such that overall efficiency during power running and during regeneration are maximized, and a control unit that controls torque distribution to the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Eiji Muramatsu, Kazutoshi Kitano, Chihiro Kawabata, Kazunobu Hashimoto, Yoshikazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8849539
    Abstract: A method for determination of speed set-point values vref for a vehicle's control systems, includes determining a horizon from position data and map data of an itinerary made up of route segments with length and gradient characteristics for each segment; calculating threshold values for the gradient of segments according to one or more vehicle-specific values, which threshold values serve as boundaries for assigning segments to various categories; comparing the gradient of each segment with the threshold values and placing each segment within the horizon in a category according to the results of the comparisons; calculating speed set-point values vref for the vehicle's control systems across the horizon according to rules pertaining to the classes in which segments within the horizon are placed; adding an offset voffset to the calculated speed set-point values vref when the vehicle is in a segment which is in a category indicating a steep upgrade or a steep downgrade; regulating the vehicle according to the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Oskar Johansson, Jörgen Hansson
  • Patent number: 8849540
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring engine coolant temperature sensors are described. In one embodiment, an expected engine coolant temperature may be determined based on the accumulated engine mass air flow. If the current engine coolant temperature is substantially different from the expected temperature, then an error signal may be generated. In one embodiment, the expected engine coolant temperature is compared to the actual engine coolant temperature if the engine coolant temperature has changed by a predetermined amount. In one embodiment, the expected engine coolant temperature is compared to the actual engine coolant temperature if the accumulated engine mass air flow is equal to or is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8849541
    Abstract: A method includes i) identifying a period of operation corresponding to a fuel supply requirement; ii) determining at least one ambient air condition in which the machine will operate during the period; iii) determining a duration of time in which, whilst in the ambient air condition, it is required to achieve a predetermined vapor trail characteristic; iv) determining a resultant fuel composition for use by the machine in the ambient air condition to achieve the characteristic, where the resultant fuel composition includes at least one of the first and second fuel compositions; v) determining the ratio of at least the first and second fuel compositions required for sufficient resultant fuel composition for the duration of time determined in step iii); and vi) producing a first signal indicative of the ratio of at least the first and second fuel compositions required for the duration of time determined in step iii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Peter Swann
  • Patent number: 8849542
    Abstract: A method for model-based control of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. An operating point of the gas turbine engine is generated from measured parameters using a component-level model. The component-level model is analytically linearized by taking the first partial derivative of output parameters of each component with respect to input parameters of each component, and evaluating the result at the operating point. Components of the linearized component-level model are combined to form a combined perturbational model of the gas turbine engine, which is inverted to solve for control commands as a function of target parameters and measured parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Meisner, Jonnalagadda V. R. Prasad, Gi-Yun Chung, Manuj Dhingra
  • Patent number: 8849543
    Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are disclosed to control operation of an internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit (ECU) with memory to burn off HC in an engine exhaust system and limit hydrocarbon and NOx content in the engine exhaust stream while operating the engine in idle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marleen F. Thompson, Tomislav Ivo Golub
  • Patent number: 8849544
    Abstract: A method of predicting NOx generation amount may include calculating NO generation rate by using a combustion pressure of an engine and driving variables of the engine, obtaining NO generation period by using the combustion pressure of the engine, calculating NO generation amount based on the NO generation rate and the NO generation period, and predicting the NOx generation amount by obtaining NO2 generation amount based on a ratio between NO and NO2 according to the NO generation amount and a driving condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Jun Yu, Kihoon Nam, Kyoungchan Han, KyoungDoug Min, Junyong Lee, Wonah Park
  • Patent number: 8849545
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fuel volatility module, a temperature generation module, and a fuel control module. The fuel volatility module estimates a volatility of fuel provided to an engine based on an engine torque and an engine speed. The temperature generation module generates a temperature of an intake valve of the engine. The fuel control module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the temperature of the intake valve, the engine torque, and the fuel volatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Brian L. O'Hear, Mark D. Carr, Layne K. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 8849546
    Abstract: A method of selecting between two operation modes in a dual fuel internal combustion engine of the diesel-type is provided. The engine includes a combustion chamber at least partly delimited by a piston, a first fuel supply for a first fuel, the first fuel supply being located in or at the combustion chamber and/or in or at an inlet port thereof, and a second fuel supply for a second fuel. The engine has two different operation modes, both operation modes including the steps of pre-mixing the first fuel in the combustion chamber and/or in the inlet port, compressing the charge containing the first fuel to conditions that allow auto-ignition of the second fuel, performing a first injection of the second fuel into the combustion chamber to initiate auto-ignition of the second fuel, thereby initiating conditions for combustion of the fuel remaining in the combustion chamber after auto-ignition of the second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Ingemar Magnusson
  • Patent number: 8849547
    Abstract: In a common rail system having two electrically controlled actuating elements, e.g., a metering unit at the input side of a high-pressure pump and a pressure regulating valve on the common rail, different fuel delivery quantities are able to be set in the common rail system while the vehicle is stationary, independent of the current engine load, by controlling operating points via one of the actuating elements and subsequently regulating the other actuating element. Control currents of the actuating elements correspond to the operating points. These control currents, or differences of control currents, are compared to target values to enable an evaluation of the common rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hackner, Stefan Hoerenberg
  • Patent number: 8849548
    Abstract: An engine system includes an exhaust system fluidly connected to an electronically controlled engine. Exhaust from the engine may travel a first pathway through a turbine of a turbocharger, or a second pathway that bypasses the turbine. An electronically controlled wastegate vale is biased to close the second pathway. An electronic controller is in communication with the electronically controlled engine and the electronically controlled wastegate valve. The electronic controller is configured to execute a wastegate diagnostic algorithm to detect a stuck closed default condition of the electronically controlled wastegate valve, and derate the engine in response to detection of a stuck closed fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Conrad Luft, Daniel Streutker, Rammohan Sankar, Travis Eugene Barnes, Gregory L. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8849549
    Abstract: A method of controlling combustion of a diesel engine may include a vibration measuring step of measuring engine vibrations, a measurement region setting step of setting a range where an LPP (location of peak pressure) is predicted from measured vibration data, a frequency transforming step of transforming a vibration signal to a frequency response function, a frequency integrating step of integrating the transformed frequency response function, an LPP detecting step of selecting a location of peak pressure from integrated frequency response function, an estimated value determining step of selecting LPP offset and SOC (start of combustion) offset by using the detected LPP, an error determining step of determining LPP value error and SOC value error by comparing the estimated LPP value and the estimated SOC value with a target LPP value and a target SOC value, and a combustion correcting step of correcting and controlling combustion by the determined errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jaemin Jin, Kootae Kang, Insoo Jung, Seungeun Yu, Young Gwan Kim, Jin Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8849550
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an exhaust gas temperature of an engine of a vehicle during interruption of fuel supply to the engine, wherein the engine drives a driveline of the vehicle. The method involves alternating between two or more operational modes, wherein at least one of the operational modes maintains a higher exhaust temperature than the one or more other operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Per Larsson, Christer Alm, Hans Bernler
  • Patent number: 8849551
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for managing ground transportation in a geographical area are disclosed. A system for managing ground transportation in a geographical area in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one airborne surveillance platform, a graphical information systems (GIS) database, receiving information from the airborne surveillance platform, the GIS database storing data that represents the geographical area, the GIS database including at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, and a routing tool, coupled to the GIS database, wherein the dynamic routing tool accepts data from the GIS database and determines a transportation route for at least one vehicle within the geographical area using at least the data from the GIS database and the information from the airborne surveillance platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Gadler
  • Patent number: 8849552
    Abstract: An illustrative method of data gathering includes determining that a vehicle traveling characteristic has changed beyond an expected parameter. The method further includes recording the GPS coordinates of the vehicle and ceasing recording the GPS coordinates of the vehicle when the vehicle traveling characteristic resumes the expected parameter. Finally, the method includes determining and storing a traffic control feature associated with at least one set of the GPS coordinates, if the recorded GPS coordinates of the vehicle correspond to previously recorded GPS coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Schunder, David M. DiMeo, Mark Scalf
  • Patent number: 8849553
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted driving supporting device 2 supports driving on the basis of the presence of a nonpriority vehicle A entering a priority road 50 from a nonpriority road 40. The vehicle-mounted driving supporting device 2 includes an information provision determination device 34 which, when a host vehicle is traveling on the priority road 50, determines whether or not driving support is required on the basis of the specification regarding driving support of the nonpriority vehicle A received from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a driver from feeling bothered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8849554
    Abstract: A traffic sensing system for sensing traffic at a roadway includes a first sensor having a first field of view, a second sensor having a second field of view, and a controller. The first and second fields of view at least partially overlap in a common field of view over a portion of the roadway, and the first sensor and the second sensor provide different sensing modalities. The controller is configured to select a sensor data stream for at least a portion of the common field of view from the first and/or second sensor as a function of operating conditions at the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Image Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Aubrey, Kiran Govindarajan, Bryan Brudevold, Craig Anderson, Baldur Steingrimsson
  • Patent number: 8849555
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for determining whether a vehicle comprises a sufficient amount of fuel to reach a destination. Making such a determination may comprise, among other things, estimating an amount of fuel required to reach the destination and/or estimating a rate of consumption along a travel route. Such estimates may be based upon factors external to the vehicle, including, among other things, topology of the travel route, current and/or predicted traffic patterns along the travel route, and/or driving habits of a user or others whom have navigated a similar route (or at least a portion of the route). When it is determined that the vehicle comprises an insufficient amount of fuel, a refueling notice indicative of the determination may be provided. In one embodiment, such a refueling may also suggest possible refueling stations along the travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: INRIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Scofield, William J. Schwebel, Kevin Foreman, Kush G. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8849556
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide leveling for a vehicle, such as an overland vehicle. Sensors associated with the vehicle may provide signals representing one or more operating conditions of the vehicle, including forces acting on the vehicle and a path of travel of the vehicle. The vehicle can be leveled based on one or more of the signals from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Papé Machinery
    Inventors: Jeff Solbrack, Dennis R. Solbrack
  • Patent number: 8849557
    Abstract: A controlled vehicle is provided that detects the presence of an emergency vehicle by monitoring the trajectories of vehicles that are sharing the road with the controlled vehicle. The controlled vehicle may determine that the trajectory of each of the monitored vehicles follows the same predetermined pattern. Based on detecting the predetermined pattern in the behavior of the monitored vehicles, the controlled vehicle may deduce that an emergency vehicle is present in the vicinity of the monitored vehicles and/or the controlled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Scott Levandowski, Brian Cullinane
  • Patent number: 8849558
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a technique which is capable of detecting a collision position of a moving object crossing a road and a subject vehicle with a higher degree of accuracy. In the present invention, in cases where the moving object crossing the road into which the subject vehicle has entered is detected at the time when the subject vehicle has turned to the right or to the left, the direction of a moving vector of the moving object is fixed to a direction which is set based on a shape of the road into which the subject vehicle has turned to the right or to the left. Then, the collision position of the moving object and the subject vehicle is predicted based on this moving vector of which the direction is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Morotomi, Masayuki Katoh, Hideaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8849559
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a path using a limited memory size are provided. An approximate path is generated based on a reduced grid map generated by reducing an original grid map. Then, an approximate path is mapped onto the original grid map, and the mapped path is enlarged and divided into a plurality of sections based on an available memory size used for path calculation. Based on a start point and a destination point set in each of the divided sections, a detailed path in each of the sections is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-yeon Jeong, Su-jinn Lee
  • Patent number: 8849560
    Abstract: A low-cost display unit that displays wayfinding information to a traveler in a public travel-related area is disclosed and may include a communication interface that facilitates receiving of travel-related information, a machine-readable marking reader that determines the presence of a travel document having one or more machine readable markings, scans the one or more machine-readable markings, and decodes the scanned one or more machine-readable markings, wherein the one or more machine-readable markings contain encoded traveled-related information pertaining to the traveler; and a display control unit that receives the decoded one or more machine-readable marking, determines the traveler's destination in the public travel-related area from the decoded one or more machine-readable markings, determines the path that the traveler should travel to reach the destination, and displays the determined path to the traveler on the low-cost display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ARINC Incorporated
    Inventors: Rolf R. Stefani, James Gary Cooper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8849561
    Abstract: In a method for identifying a location of an incident, a computer receives data from a plurality of navigation devices. The computer determines a portion of a determined route between a first point and a second point of at least one navigation device of the plurality of navigation devices, wherein the at least one navigation devices deviated from the determined route. The computer determines that two or more portions contain a sub-portion. The computer identifies a location of an incident, wherein the location is a location of the sub-portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Bell, Robert Watts, David P. Roe
  • Patent number: 8849562
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing instructions to a destination that is revealed upon arrival may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive indications of context associated with a user, determine a destination for the user based on the context and user information, provide for a presentation of guidance instructions to guide the user to the destination, and reveal the destination to the user only when the user is proximate to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing, S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Arto Lehtiniemi, Antti Eronen, Jukka A. Holm
  • Patent number: 8849563
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for identifying a serviceable address associated with a street network connection point and an actual location point. For example, in one embodiment, the serviceable address may be associated with a street network connection point that is part of a digital map. The serviceable address may also be associated with a parcel drop-off point that includes parcel drop-off point information, such as a parcel drop-off point geo coordinate associated with the parcel drop-off point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick Hurley, Stephen Myron Snyder, Robert Edward Trevillian, IV, Terry Alan Fry
  • Patent number: 8849564
    Abstract: A device, system and method of embodiments of the invention include a route comparison device having circuitry configured to acquire location information of a starting point and a goal point, acquire shape data of a reference route between the starting point and the goal point, search for a route between the starting point and the goal point, and calculate, by comparing shape data of a found route which has been found and the shape data of the reference route, a degree of matching indicating a degree of correspondence between the routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Mutoh
  • Patent number: 8849565
    Abstract: A method and system for navigating are disclosed. The method and system comprise detecting neutrinos emitted by a source, measuring the angle of arrival of the neutrinos, and tagging the neutrino measurements utilizing an accurate clock. The method and system further include processing the tagged neutrino measurements through a computational model of a neutrino generator, and combining the processed measurements with navigational aids to provide location information. A system and method in accordance with at least one embodiment measure the angle of arrival of neutrinos generated by the sun, and use this measurement to derive navigational information. The measurement of the angle of arrival of the neutrinos is obtainable deep underground or underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregory M. Gutt
  • Patent number: 8849567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for updating geographic information system are provided. Method includes receiving name and location of point of interest (POI). Method includes comparing name and location of received POI to names and locations of POIs stored in data repository. Method includes determining whether first POI in data repository has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI. Method includes increasing or maintaining maximum confidence value for first POI if first POI has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI. Method includes adding name and location of received POI to temporary set of points of interest if it is determined that no POI in data repository has name that matches name of received POI, and location that is within predetermined distance of location of received POI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Manik Gupta, Alok Goel
  • Patent number: 8849568
    Abstract: A portable terminal and a method for providing network contents using the portable terminal are provided. The portable terminal receives contents from a network, uses information related to a destination and a pre-stored map data to search for a travel route from a start point to the destination, determines an estimated time for a user to reach the destination from the start point, and outputs travel guide information to guide the user along the travel route while outputting contents having a reproduction time corresponding to the estimated time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Hee Mo, Seung Hee Kim