Patents Issued in February 6, 2018
  • Patent number: 9884591
    Abstract: A display system for use in a controlled vehicle is provided, and includes a rearview assembly having a display device located behind a mirror element, a camera system configured to acquire images of a scene external of the controlled vehicle, and a processing system configured to receive a signal representative of the acquired images and to produce an image of the scene on the display device of the rearview assembly, wherein the processing system is further configured to adjust the photosensitivity of the camera system based on an input from at least one of an ambient light sensor and a direct glare sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven G. Hoek, Ethan J. Lee
  • Patent number: 9884592
    Abstract: An illuminating device (28) includes a light transmittable shield (38) having a first face (40) and a second face (42) spaced from the first face (40) in a direction. A chamber (43) is defined in the first face (40) and includes an operative face (46) spaced from the second face (42) in the direction. A plurality of refractive units (52) is provided on the operative face (46). Each refractive unit (52) includes a plurality refractive faces (54). Each refractive face (54) is at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle (55) to the operative face (46). Light diffusing particles (53) are disposed between the operative face (46) and the second face (42) and are located in the refractive units (52). At least one light emitting diode (34, 36) is fixed in relation to the light transmittable shield (38), is located in the chamber (43), and faces the operative face (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: POLYWAY INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chien Tseng
  • Patent number: 9884593
    Abstract: A weapon mounting system including a base and an upright for supporting a weapon holder. The weapon holder is supported for sliding movement along the upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Pro-gard Products, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Hull, Mike Navarro, John Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9884594
    Abstract: A storage system includes a utility rack having a base frame with a plurality of cross members extending across the base frame and an accessory. The accessory includes at least one attachment device for attaching to at least one of the cross members. The attachment device includes a cross member retainer configured to partially retain a cross member, a hinged brace configured to move between an open position rotated away from the cross member retainer and a closed position rotate towards the cross member retainer and configured to press against the cross member, and a latch configured to lock the hinged brace in the closed position and maintain a pressure of the hinged brace against the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Tony John Cergnul
  • Patent number: 9884595
    Abstract: A cable connection on a motor unit of an electric auxiliary drive for a bicycle, the motor unit includes an external rotor having a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the wheels. The cable connection has a solid connecting piece which can be connected to the motor unit and conductors for connection to the cores of a cable to be fed at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HIGHTEC EDV-SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Vera Strothmann, Stefan Hittinger
  • Patent number: 9884596
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a motor vehicle to simulate fuel loss to encourage early refueling to prevent stranding. The apparatus may cause stumbling and hesitation by interrupting various engine management systems to simulate low fuel in the tank by cutting either spark or fuel momentarily or applying the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FIRST PRINCIPLES, INC.
    Inventor: Keith A. Raniere
  • Patent number: 9884597
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement beam includes sheets pre-formed to have integral features and to have a final beam shape with non-radiused corners and optimal impact properties, including beams with constant or varied cross-sectional shapes, and beams made of steel, aluminum, or hybrid materials or combinations of material, all of which allow minimization of weight. The non-radiused corners offer excellent impact strength and properties. Beam impact properties can be improved or locally tuned for particular functional requirements by material selection, or by adding an internal reinforcement on an inside center of the front wall, or by localized annealing of the welds to minimize stress risers, or by localized features and shapes. The sheets can be welded using welding processes that provide low heat-affected-zones around the weld or by localized annealing, thus minimizing any adverse effect of welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Matecki, Jonathon J. Pothoven
  • Patent number: 9884598
    Abstract: A bumper device for a vehicle is arranged on one of a front side and a rear side of a vehicle cabin to extend in a vehicle width direction. The bumper device for a vehicle includes: a tubular portion, which is made of metal and integrally formed so as to have a tubular shape extending in the vehicle width direction; and a reinforcing member, which is formed so as to have a plate-like shape extending in the vehicle width direction along an inner surface of the tubular portion. A foamed resin charged into the tubular portion is foamed to be increased in volume, to thereby fix the reinforcing member inside the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Kaneko, Kiyoichi Kita, Jun Shobo, Kazutaka Mori, Tamaki Obayashi
  • Patent number: 9884599
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes a front frame member, a bumper beam (9) disposed at a front section of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction, a crush box (10) fixed to a rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and having a rear end portion coupled to a front end portion of the front frame member, and a corner reinforcement member (15) disposed at a corner portion formed between the rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and the side surface of the crush box (10), wherein an outer surface of the corner reinforcement member (15) is joined in a state in which the outer surface abuts the rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and the side surface of the crush box (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Daido, Junya Harada, Keita Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9884600
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a front side member, a bumper portion, a bumper guard and an up-and-down extension portion. The front side member extends in a vehicle front-and-rear direction. The bumper portion is provided at the vehicle front side of the front side member and extends in the vehicle width direction. The bumper guard is formed in a pipe shape, and is provided at the vehicle upper side of the bumper portion. The up-and-down extension portion extends in a vehicle up-and-down direction. A lower portion of the up-and-down extension portion is joined to the bumper portion and is attached to the front side member via a crush box. An upper portion of the up-and-down extension portion protrudes upward of the bumper portion and is connected to the bumper guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihide Fujimoto, Kenichi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 9884601
    Abstract: Presented herein are bull bar mounting assemblies, methods for making and methods for using such mounting assemblies, and vehicles with mounting assemblies affixing bull bars to the vehicle chassis. A bull bar mounting assembly includes an elongated chassis rail with a first longitudinal end attached to the vehicle chassis, and a second longitudinal end with a mounting plate for attaching to the bull bar device. An L-shaped flexible mounting bracket has a coupling base attached to the chassis rail adjacent to and spaced from the mounting plate, and a coupling flange projecting from the coupling base for attaching to the bull bar device and mounting plate. The flexible mounting bracket may expand from an undeformed state, where at the coupling flange is spaced from and unattached to the mounting plate, to a deformed state, whereat the coupling flange abuts and attaches to the mounting plate and bull bar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Artur Z. Candido
  • Patent number: 9884602
    Abstract: An airbag control device, wherein the airbag control device generates at least one actuation signal for an actuation time as a function of at least one sensor signal, wherein the airbag control device can maintain the at least one actuation signal for a holding time, wherein the airbag control device has at least one non-volatile memory in which the generation of the at least one actuation signal can be stored, wherein the airbag control device, when the at least one actuation signal is generated, stores a status signal in the at least one non-volatile memory or in a further non-volatile memory, wherein the status signal is deleted again if the at least one actuation signal was generated for longer than a storage time. Also disclosed is a voltage network in a motor vehicle and to a method for actuating a voltage network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Ortner, Andreas Deyda, Adam Moik, Dietmar Wolf
  • Patent number: 9884603
    Abstract: A steering wheel airbag apparatus may include: a mounting plate seated on a wheel armature, and having a guide pipe formed therein; a cover coupled to the mounting plate; a moving contact module movably installed in the guide pipe, pressurized and moved by the cover, and connected to a positive electrode; and an elastic contact portion coupled to the guide pipe, connected to a negative electrode while supported by the negatively charged wheel armature, and connected to the moving contact module as the moving contact module is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Hyoung Kim, Seok Hoon Ko, Hae Kwon Park
  • Patent number: 9884604
    Abstract: A child safety harness assembly for securing a child in a vehicle includes a first strap that has a midsection. The midsection is curved, such that opposing side sections of the strap extend in substantial parallelism from the midsection. Each of a pair of second straps is coupled to and extends between the opposing side sections. The second straps are substantially evenly spaced between the midsection and opposing ends of the first strap. A third strap has a first endpoint that is coupled to the midsection equally distant from the opposing ends of the first strap. Each of a set of three couplers is coupled singly to the opposing ends and the third strap. The second straps and the third strap are length adjustable. The couplers are configured to couple to anchors of the vehicle to couple the child to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brooks Hulitt, Zeb Congdon
  • Patent number: 9884605
    Abstract: A force-limiting device (4) for a seat belt device which has at least two parts (5, 11, 15) controlled with a frequency-dependent, defined movement, wherein the parts (5, 11,15) moving relative to one another feature gearings (8, 10, 18, 19) engaging into each other and the frequency-dependent, controlled movement occurs such that at least one of the parts (5, 11, 15) executes a feed movement (V) with respect to the other part (5, 11,15) with an undulating motion (Q) perpendicular to the feed movement (V) in which the gearings (8, 10, 18, 19) alternatingly engage and disengage, by means of which a force limited belt extraction is facilitated. Wherein means are provided with which the required force for movement of the parts (5, 11, 15) toward one another can be automatically increased after a preset belt extraction length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Singer, Ronald Jabusch
  • Patent number: 9884606
    Abstract: A belt retractor casing shell having a cup-shaped configuration comprises a front wall (14) as well as a circumferential wall (16) extending from the front wall (14), the front wall (14) including an annular zone (44) weakened vis-à-vis the radially inside and/or outside adjacent portion around a center (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Blum, Kai Ulrich Machens, Jens Scholz, Jens Neumann
  • Patent number: 9884607
    Abstract: To provide a seatbelt retractor and a seatbelt device that can suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise. A seatbelt retractor 1 includes a spool 2 that retracts webbing configured to restrain an occupant, a base frame 3 that houses the spool 2 rotatably, and a lock mechanism 4 that restricts rotation of the spool 2. The lock mechanism 4 includes a locking base 41, a pawl 42, a pawl spring 43, and a lock gear 44. The pawl 42 includes a first restraint portion 42a that restrains movement of the pawl 42 in one rotating direction of the spool 2 while being located inside an outer periphery of the locking base 41, and a second restraint portion 42b that restrains the movement of the pawl 42 in an opposite rotating direction of the spool 2 while the movement is retrained by the first restraint portion 42a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichiro Hodatsu
  • Patent number: 9884608
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly includes a first lap belt portion having an anchored end and a first plate, and a second lap belt portion having an anchored end and a second plate. A first shoulder belt having a retractor end and a buckle end extends through a first slot in the first plate between the retractor end and the buckle end. A second shoulder belt having a retractor end and a tongue end extends through a first slot in the second plate between the retractor end and the tongue end. The buckle end is fixedly attached to a buckle and the tongue end is fixedly attached to a tongue. The buckle and the tongue are releasably attachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Raj S. Roychoudhury
  • Patent number: 9884609
    Abstract: A web tightening apparatus is disclosed for a multi-point restraint harness having a web extendable about an occupant of a motor vehicle seat. A base frame is mounted between the seat and a floor of a motor vehicle, a web turning guide is mounted to and within the base frame with the web extending into the base frame and through the web turning guide, a ratcheting device is mounted to the base frame and has a handle, and a ratcheting web is coupled at one end to the web extending from the web turning guide and coupled at an opposite end to the ratcheting device. The ratcheting device is responsive to ratcheting actuation of the handle to draw the ratcheting web therein, wherein movement of the ratcheting web into the ratcheting device draws the web further into the base frame and thereby tightens the web about the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Bittner, Jacob C. White
  • Patent number: 9884610
    Abstract: A looking mechanism (12) for a bolt retractor (10) including an inertia element (24) which is supported to be rotatable between a home position and a locked position in a bearing (28), the bearing (29) being a conical bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Rink, Verena Scheumann, Brigitte Senber, Markus Dauber, Thomas Kielwein, Boris Siebeck, Alexander Steidle
  • Patent number: 9884611
    Abstract: An identification of a vehicle is received. An identification of a first user to receive delegation of control of the vehicle is received. Authentication information for the first user for the vehicle is determined. A request to authenticate the first user for delegation of control of the vehicle to the first user is received. The request to authenticate includes at least the authentication information for the first user is determined. Responsive to the determination, control of the vehicle is delegated to the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Sangeeta Gautam, David W. Joutras, Vinod A. Valecha
  • Patent number: 9884612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising a main unit (10) and an adapter unit (14) which can be connected to a wiper arm (12) and is secured in a form-locked manner to the main unit (10) in at least one mounted state. The wiper blade device comprises at least one form-lock recess (16) that extends at least from a first face (18) to a second face (20) of the main unit (10) or the adapter unit (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Depondt
  • Patent number: 9884613
    Abstract: [Summary] To provide a brake system in which due to change in structure of a seat member, an end portion of a push rod that faces a piston can be increased in diameter and thus weight reduction of entire construction of the piston and suppression of vibration hitting noises are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuma Tsuruoka, Yukinori Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9884614
    Abstract: A control system is for a vehicle (Ve), and the control system comprises an electronic control unit (18). The electronic control unit (18) is configured to (i) produce differential rotation by controlling a rotational speed of either a first clutch member (24) or a second clutch member (25) of a selectable one-way clutch (17) by a motor (2), and (ii) execute the following processes in an order of (1.) to (4.) in the case where the electronic control unit (18) switches the selectable one-way clutch (17) from a disengaged state to a engaged state: (1.) controlling the motor (2) such that the differential rotation becomes the negative differential rotation; (2.) switching the selectable one-way clutch (17) from a second state to a first state; (3.) controlling the motor (2) such that the differential rotation becomes the positive differential rotation; and (4.) engaging a part of a strut with a part of the second clutch member (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shibata, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hideaki Komada, Yuki Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 9884615
    Abstract: A method of providing assistance to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle using an electric motor coupled to the engine is provided. The method comprises predicting a driving range based on historical driving range data. The historical driving range data includes one or more distances that the vehicle was driven during one or more previous driving cycles. The method further comprises selectively operating the motor to provide assistance to the engine at predetermined operating conditions of the engine. The assistance provided to the engine at one or more of the predetermined operating conditions is determined based at least in part on the predicted driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: KPIT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: S. B. (Ravi) Pandit, Tejas Krishna Kshatriya, Vinay G. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 9884616
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a hybrid vehicle equipped with an air control valve are provided. The method includes collecting road information and determining a number of conversions between an engine operation mode and a motor driving mode based on the collected road information. Further, a degree of flap closing of the air control valve is restricted from being corrected when the predicted number of conversion is less than a predetermined threshold. The air control valve is adjusted for flap displacement upon closing of the flap when the predicted number of conversion is greater than the predetermined threshold and in which the degree of flap closing of the air control valve is corrected based on the detected flap displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9884617
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to, when any one of the following conditions iii) to vi) is satisfied, activate the oil pump to start supplying oil to a power split mechanism: iii) a required driving force becomes larger than or equal to a first pump changing value when a first drive mode is selected; iv) a vehicle speed becomes higher than or equal to a second pump changing value when the first drive mode is selected; v) the required driving force becomes smaller than or equal to a third pump changing value when the third drive mode is selected; and vi) the vehicle speed becomes lower than or equal to a fourth pump changing value when the third drive mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sohei Murata, Akiko Nishimine, Kensei Hata, Yosuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9884618
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, an electrical storage device and a controller. The electric motor generates electric power by using driving force of the engine. The controller controls supply of electric power, which is at least one of electric power generated by the electric motor or electric power stored in the electrical storage device, to an outside of the vehicle. The controller selects, on the basis of setting made by a user, whether to permit or prohibit generation of electric power by using the driving force of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Patent number: 9884619
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically operate a vehicle in an electric mode when an actual speed of the vehicle is at or below a set threshold, and to automatically operate the vehicle in a hybrid mode when the actual speed is above the set threshold. The method further including adjusting the set threshold using a selector device such that the set threshold is changed without influencing the actual speed. Another exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically initiate a transition of a vehicle from an electric mode to a hybrid mode, or from the hybrid mode to the electric mode. The controller initiates the transition in response to a comparison of a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle to a threshold state of charge that is configured to be adjusted by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Bryan Michael Bolger, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, Joseph Gerald Supina
  • Patent number: 9884620
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a motor vehicle on a traffic area of a parking facility includes the steps of scanning a camera image of the traffic area including the motor vehicle, determining a position of the motor vehicle based on the camera image, scanning the motor vehicle with the aid of a stationary sensor on the traffic area, and validating or correcting the determined position based on the scanning with the aid of the stationary sensor. The stationary sensor is configured like a parking facility sensor, which is configured to determine the presence of a motor vehicle parked in a parking space of the parking facility, the parking space being reachable with the aid of the motor vehicle via the traffic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Felix Hess
  • Patent number: 9884621
    Abstract: Devices and methods in an autonomous parking controller for a vehicle are disclosed. When the vehicle is located at a parking location, the method determines whether the parking location includes a parking restriction. When the parking location includes the parking restriction, the example method compares the parking restriction with at least one restriction threshold. When the parking restriction compares unfavorably with the at least one restriction threshold, the example method, while at the parking location, monitors for a change in at least one of a plurality of ambient conditions relative to the vehicle. When the example method detects the change, the vehicle is autonomously relocated to another location to alleviate the active obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9884622
    Abstract: Described herein is a vehicle system configured to identify and mitigate inappropriate driving behavior. In some embodiments, the vehicle system may receive input information from one or more input sensors. The vehicle system may identify driving behaviors related to a vehicle from the received input. The vehicle system may determine whether the driving behaviors are inappropriate in light of one or more conditions affecting the vehicle. Upon identifying inappropriate behavior, the vehicle system may generate a set of corrective actions capable of being executed to mitigate the inappropriate driving behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Yu-Ting Dai
  • Patent number: 9884623
    Abstract: A method for image-based vehicle localization includes measuring, at a vehicle, a position and a heading of the vehicle; capturing, at an image capture system of the vehicle, road surface image data of a road surface; processing the road surface image data to correct for distortion in the road surface image data due to pitch and roll of the vehicle; performing feature detection on the processed road surface image data to detect lane markers on the road surface; generating a local map based on the detected lane markers; wherein generating the local map comprises identifying a lane demarcated by the detected lane markers; and controlling the vehicle according to the local map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Juan Fasola, Stuart Glaser, Elliot Branson, Kyle Vogt
  • Patent number: 9884624
    Abstract: A travel control device 10 includes: an intersection stopped vehicle determining unit 12 that determines whether or not a forward vehicle is a stopped vehicle that is stopped at an intersection, based on distance information from the own vehicle to each forward vehicle acquired by a forward vehicle detection device 1, and distance information to the intersection existing ahead of the own vehicle acquired by a forward intersection distance acquisition device 2; and a vehicle stop position prediction unit 13 that predicts a stop position of the own vehicle at the intersection based on distance information of the stopped vehicle, when the forward vehicle is determined as the stopped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Morita, Hisashi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9884625
    Abstract: A vehicle traveling control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires surrounding information on the vehicle; an external situation determination unit that determines whether there is space, into which the vehicle will enter, in the adjacent lane based on the surrounding information on the vehicle; and a vehicle control unit that causes the vehicle to change the lane along a traveling trajectory predetermined to change the lane from the traveling lane to the adjacent lane. The vehicle control unit is configured to move the vehicle along the traveling trajectory and place the vehicle in a waiting state at a waiting position if the external situation determination unit determines that there is not the space, and is configured to move the vehicle from the waiting position to the space if the external situation determination unit determines that there is the space while the vehicle is placed in the waiting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taira, Yoshinori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9884626
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle, the system being operable in an automatic mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select automatically an appropriate system operating mode and to assume operation in said system operating mode, wherein when operating in the automatic mode selection condition the system is configured to prevent selection of a prescribed one or more operating modes if it is determined that the vehicle is towing a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: James Kelly, Andrew Fairgrieve, Elliot Hemes, Dan Dennehy, Sam Anker
  • Patent number: 9884627
    Abstract: A device and method for adjusting vehicle fuel efficiency to responsive to an altered vehicle surface area are disclosed. An operation of the method receives vehicle surface data, which indicates a transition from a first vehicle drag coefficient value relating to a vehicle surface area to a second vehicle drag coefficient value relating to the altered vehicle surface area. A second plurality of powertrain parameter values associated with the second vehicle drag coefficient value are determined, and the method operates to transmit the second plurality of powertrain parameter values for adjusting of the vehicle fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergei I. Gage, Arata Sato
  • Patent number: 9884628
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically detecting that a driver of a smart vehicle is impaired and subsequently performing a graduated response are provided. According to certain aspects, vehicle sensors may generate and transmit sensor data indicating that the driver of the smart vehicle is impaired. In response, the smart vehicle may analyze the data and determine a primary response to the indication of impairment. The primary response may be performed by the smart vehicle's control systems. Subsequently, the vehicle sensors may generate and transmit another set of sensor data indicating that the driver of the smart vehicle is impaired. In response, the smart vehicle may analyze the data and determine a secondary response to the indication of impairment. The secondary response may be performed by the smart vehicle's control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Rosemarie Geier Grant
  • Patent number: 9884629
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product redirects a self-driving vehicle (SDV) to a physical location of a product provider. A self-driving vehicle (SDV) on-board computer on an SDV receives a current location and a planned route to an initial destination of the SDV. The SDV on-board computer receives information describing real-time physiological states of one or more occupants of the SDV, and then identifies a physical location of a product provider that provides a solution to ameliorate the real-time physiological states of the one or more occupants of the SDV. The SDV on-board computer then alters the planned route of the SDV to redirect the SDV on-board computer to autonomously drive the SDV to the physical location of the product provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Peter K. Malkin, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 9884630
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) performance optimization system can receive vehicle data from human-driven vehicles, and determine a set of performance metrics for determining AV performance in relation to human performance based on the vehicle data. Thereafter, the system can receive AV data from AVs operating or configured for operation throughout a given region. Based on the AV data, the system can determine a performance score for each of the set of performance metrics for the AV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Payne Ross, Brett Browning
  • Patent number: 9884631
    Abstract: Arrangements relating to the transitioning of a vehicle between operational modes are described. The vehicle can transition between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The second operational mode has a greater degree of manual involvement than the first operational mode. For instance, the first operational mode can be an unmonitored autonomous operational mode, and the second operational mode can be a monitored autonomous operational mode or a manual operational mode. It can be determined whether an operational mode transition event has occurred while the vehicle is operating in the first operational mode. In response to determining that an operational mode transition event has occurred, a time buffer for continuing in the first operational mode before switching to the second operational mode can be determined. A transition alert can be presented within the vehicle. The transition alert can represent the determined time buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michael R. James, Katsuhiro Sakai, Toshiki Kindo, Danil V. Prokhorov, Masahiro Harada
  • Patent number: 9884632
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for personalized vehicle management. A current location of a vehicle may be received. A route of the vehicle may be determined based upon a trip library and/or the current location. The trip library may correspond to routes traveled by the user above a travel frequency threshold. A route segment (e.g., a portion of the route that the vehicle will travel within a threshold duration) may be identified. A route segment characteristic (e.g., a weather characteristic, a physical characteristic, a traffic characteristic, etc.) of the route segment may be determined. The route segment characteristic may be provided to a driver assistance component of the vehicle. The driver assistance component may be instructed to alter functionality of the vehicle using a vehicle operational parameter derived from the route segment characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: INRIX INC.
    Inventor: Christian Andreas Hecht
  • Patent number: 9884633
    Abstract: The zip line rail system can be connected to a challenge course, a zip line, a zip track system, or any combination thereof. The zip line rail system of the present invention can have two rails that a member slide's two wheels rollably engage with, and the zip line rail system can be configured in any of a variety of directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ropes Courses, Inc
    Inventor: Sean Horihan
  • Patent number: 9884634
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source disposed inside of a vehicle, an external light sensor that detects illuminance of light outside of the vehicle, and a controller that controls the light source such that a lower light intensity ratio of the light source is set for higher illuminance detected by the external light sensor. The controller performs a light intensity ratio maintaining control that maintains the light intensity ratio of the light source even when the illuminance changes from a low state to a high state during a period from when a change amount of the illuminance exceeds a predetermined value until a predetermined period elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: LECIP HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoyuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 9884635
    Abstract: A signaling system includes an on-board device, a station interface device and a platform screen door. The on-board device is provided in a moving vehicle. The station interface device is provided in a station. The platform screen door is provided in the station and controlled by the station interface device. When the moving vehicle has stopped at the station, the on-board device outputs a door open permission command to instruct release of a lock state. The station interface device releases the lock state of the platform screen door in response to the door open permission command. After the lock state is released, the on-board device outputs a door open command to instruct the opening of the platform screen door. The station interface device opens the platform screen door in response to the door open command. The on-board device opens doors of the moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Miyajima, Takahiro Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9884636
    Abstract: A collapsible push car for holding at least one rider includes a front chassis body attached to a rear chassis body; a front panel strip attached to a front edge of the front chassis body distal from the rear chassis body; a pair of foldable front quarter panels hingeably attached to the front chassis body; a pair of foldable rear quarter panels hingeably attached to the rear chassis body; a rear panel strip attached to a back edge of the rear chassis body; a seat positioned on the rear chassis body; a pair of front wheels attached to the front chassis body; a pair of back wheels attached to the rear chassis body; and a handle assembly attached to the rear chassis body. The front wheels are spaced apart by a different width than the back wheels to allow for folding of the push car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Melanie Anne Monarco
  • Patent number: 9884637
    Abstract: A barrel truck has a handle structure; a wheeled support, the wheels spaced apart such that the wheels can slide under a barrel when the barrel is pivoted; a cradling member pivotally coupled to the support for engaging the perimeter of the barrel but not extending past the center line of the barrel; and an upright structure having a gripping mechanism for gripping the top of the barrel adapted to have a force applied thereto to exert an upward force on the barrel to pivot the barrel off the ground causing the wheeled support to move forward and pivot with respect to the cradling member, allowing the wheels on the wheeled support to move underneath the barrel, with further force on the handle structure lifting the barrel off the ground balanced over the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Greg McFarland
  • Patent number: 9884638
    Abstract: Accordingly, a hand truck for percussion drums and related accessories of the invention enables storage, transport, protection, and control of a plurality of percussion drums and their related accessories. The hand truck for percussion drums and related accessories is comprised of a body panel consisting of individual drum compartments of varying dimensions sized to accommodate preselected percussion drums of corresponding varying dimensions which are protectively releasably received into the compartments thru the use of support strips. A cymbal storage rod assembly is included to facilitate the control and storage of a plurality of percussion cymbals. Said body panel further supporting a cover onto which a plurality of drum accessory and drum pedal storage compartments may be attached. Support brackets with end closures support the body panel each employing handles to facilitate maneuvering along with wheels on the front end to enable transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: John L. Sulcer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9884639
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a utility cart. In some embodiments, the utility cart includes an insulated cold storage compartment; a dry storage compartment, the dry storage compartment configured to retract-ably extend horizontally; a base and front and rear wheels connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Chad Anthony Collins
  • Patent number: 9884640
    Abstract: A foldable stroller includes a frame and a locking component. The frame includes a handle, a front foot, a rear foot, and a carrier support. An upper end of the front foot is pivoted to the handle. An upper end of the rear foot is pivoted to the handle. The carrier support includes at least one connecting rod. An end of the at least one connecting rod is pivoted to the front foot, and the other end of the at least one connecting rod is pivoted to the rear foot. The locking component is installed between the rear foot and the handle. The locking component locks rotation of the rear foot relative to the handle when the foldable stroller is unfolded. Due to aforementioned structure, the foldable stroller is not only reliable in operation but also has a smaller occupied space after being folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Jian-Qun Li