Patents Issued in August 4, 2020
  • Patent number: 10730479
    Abstract: A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system includes a communication gateway configured to transmit a ping signal based on at least one of a predetermined period and a predetermined transmission power level. The PEPS system includes at least one sensor configured to receive the ping signal and measure a physical characteristic of the ping signal. The PEPS system includes a central module configured to receive the measured physical characteristic of the ping signal, determine a lower threshold and an upper threshold associated with the at least one sensor, and compare the measured physical characteristic of the ping signal to the lower threshold and the upper threshold. In response to determining that the measured physical characteristic is less than the lower threshold and greater than the upper threshold, the central module is further configured to notify a portable device that the at least one sensor has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyle Golsch
  • Patent number: 10730480
    Abstract: A mobile device detection apparatus is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a plurality of antennas, transmits a request signal for requesting a response to a mobile device that exists within a range communicable with the vehicle from a predetermined antenna among the plurality of antennas, receives a response signal returned from the mobile device to detect an existence of the mobile device, transmits a reply request signal for requesting a reply signal to the mobile device when the existence of the mobile device is detected, and receives the reply request signal from the mobile device using the plurality of antennas to detect an existence position of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10730481
    Abstract: A system and method for remote control of functionalities of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle reserved for hire, is provided. The system and method include transmission and receipt of information between a mobile terminal, a remote vehicle management system and a control unit of a vehicle to remotely control, particularly to remotely initiate, particular functionalities of a vehicle which has been selected, particularly reserved, in advance using the vehicle management system. The mobile terminal is identified to the vehicle on the basis of an interchange of identifiers that the vehicle and the terminal have received in advance from the vehicle management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dennis Burgkhardt, Hyung-Taek Lim, Thomas Krauss
  • Patent number: 10730482
    Abstract: Biometric data profiles for users of a vehicle are managed according to an enrollment mode and a maintenance mode. The enrollment mode includes 1) authenticating a respective authorized user, 2) transferring a respective biometric profile to an encrypted biometric memory, 3) specifying a sunset time for automatic deletion of the respective biometric profile, 4) establishing an activity window, and 5) establishing a deferral period. The maintenance mode includes 1) deleting a respective biometric profile upon occurrence of the respective specified sunset time, 2) detecting vehicle access in response to a stored biometric profile during a respective activity window of the respective authorized user, and 3) automatically extending the respective sunset time according to the respective deferral period if the detected vehicle access during the respective activity window meets a respective threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Robert Parenti, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Mahmoud Y. Ghannam
  • Patent number: 10730483
    Abstract: A transparent window plate is provided with a plurality of defogging heat wires arranged to have a side parallel with a first direction. The transparent window plate includes: a plurality of repetitive patterns that are arranged between one of the plurality of defogging heat wires and an adjacent one of the plurality of defogging heat wires so as to be not in contact with the plurality of defogging heat wires, and each of the plurality of repetitive patterns having at least one side parallel with the plurality of defogging heat wires. The plurality of repetitive patterns are aligned along the first direction; and the plurality of repetitive patterns are repetitively arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu Ikeda, Hiroaki Kuraoka
  • Patent number: 10730484
    Abstract: An adapter (9) designed to connect a wiper blade to a drive arm of a wiping system for a motor vehicle, the adapter (9) extending primarily along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising at least a body (24) having two sides (26) joined together, at least partially, by a bridge of material (27), a head (23) forming a first longitudinal end of the adapter (9), a rear portion (25) forming a second longitudinal end of the adapter (9) opposite the first longitudinal end with respect to the body (24), a flexible tongue (34) emerging from the body (24) of the adapter (9) and a knob (16) emerging from the flexible tongue (34), this knob (16) being configured to block the adapter (9) in a terminal portion of the drive arm of the wiping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Vaelo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Guillaume Mouleyre, Stéphane Houssat, Vincent Gaucher
  • Patent number: 10730485
    Abstract: A system includes a base defining an opening. The system includes a pair of gaskets supported by the base, the opening disposed between the gaskets. The system includes a pair of pads supported by the base, the gaskets disposed between the pads. The system includes a transparent shield supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the shield abutting one of the pads in the first position and the other of the pads in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Diedrich, Brian Bennie, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Cheri Lyn Hansen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Haron Abdel-raziq, Somak Datta Gupta
  • Patent number: 10730486
    Abstract: A vehicle wash control system for controlling the amount of wash product applied to a vehicle based on environmental or other conditions, sensed locally or controlled/sensed remotely. The vehicle wash control system generally includes one or more electronic control valves that may be controlled by a control unit that receives inputs from a sensor or remotely which adjusts the flow of wash products responsive to the inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Krause, Donald J. Pansier, Daniel J. Mathys, Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10730487
    Abstract: A brush having manual or automatic operation for maintenance of mechanical rims or any object placed on top of the rims. Access to the inside of the rims is difficult due to the obstacle that the spokes and the brake disc constitute, whereby cleaning is often imperfect and residual dirt remains despite the broad range of existing products. A perfectly clean rim requires tedious cleaning using unsuitable brushes or cloths, at the price of one or more hand injuries. A brush is provided in a kit made up of elements that can be associated with one another. A horizontal body is associated with a main vertical body or a secondary vertical body, allowing areas that are difficult to access and the arms of the rim to be cleaned in a single movement without the hand ever touching any part of the wheel, thus avoiding injuries and saving time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Jean Max Yao Dibi
  • Patent number: 10730488
    Abstract: A low-profile trailer jack for preventing damage to a jack includes a jack module that comprises a plurality of nested sections so that the jack module is selectively extensible. A first coupler is coupled to the jack module. A second coupler is coupled to an upper face of a hitch assembly proximate to an orifice that is positioned through the hitch assembly. The second coupler is complementary to the first coupler. The jack module is configured to be inserted into the orifice, positioning the second coupler to couple to the first coupler to fixedly position the jack module within the orifice. A top of the jack module is positioned proximate to the second coupler. An actuator is operationally coupled to the jack module. The actuator is positioned to extend the nested sections so that a bottom of the jack module contacts a surface to elevate the hitch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Refujio Moreno
  • Patent number: 10730489
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus includes a height-adjustable assembly having a longitudinal axis, and a brake assembly comprising a brake cable. The brake cable includes an elongate portion extending along the height-adjustable assembly and a slack portion. The patient transport apparatus further includes a brake cable housing coupled to and axially offset from the height-adjustable assembly. The slack portion of the brake cable is enclosed within a hollow interior of the brake cable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Evolution Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 10730490
    Abstract: A failure detection and correction function which is able to detect a failure of an automatic braking system, and provide a corrected action. The failure detection and correction function is independent of the automatic braking function. The failure detection and correction function uses object coordinates and the speed of the vehicle to determine the collision risk, and then calculates a desired deceleration if there is imminent collision. The function uses desired deceleration to compare to a deceleration request from automatic braking function to determine if there is a failure. The failure detection and correction function takes corrected action to avoid the collision if the automatic braking function has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ningsheng Qiao, Ali Houry, Jeremy W Tuggle, Brandon Herzog
  • Patent number: 10730491
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for controlling aircraft brakes. A brake control system may comprise a controller, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller. The tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising: determining a braking power discrepancy of a wheel (eP,i), comparing the braking power discrepancy of the wheel (eP,i) to a threshold discrepancy value, and modulating a braking pressure applied to the wheel based on the comparison of the braking power discrepancy of the wheel (eP,i) to the threshold discrepancy value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Krucinski, Richard A. Poisson
  • Patent number: 10730492
    Abstract: A speed control system operable to control a motor vehicle to operate in accordance with a set-speed value, the control means being operable to allow a user to adjust the set-speed value by user actuation of a vehicle brake control or a vehicle accelerator control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, Daniel Woolliscroft, James Kelly, Adam Southgate
  • Patent number: 10730493
    Abstract: A hydraulic block is described for a braking system of a vehicle including at least one check valve, which is situated in a check valve receiving bore extending partially through the hydraulic block, including a valve seat and a valve body, the check valve receiving bore being formed as a stepped recess into the hydraulic block including a first subarea having at least one minimum diameter and an inner second subarea having at most one maximum diameter smaller than the minimum diameter; the valve seat is inserted onto and/or into the check valve receiving bore in a direct contact with at least one inner wall of the check valve receiving bore; and the valve body being inserted cageless and adjustable within the first subarea of the check valve receiving bore. A braking system for a vehicle and a manufacturing method for a hydraulic block for a braking system of a vehicle including at least one check valve are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Weh, Harald Guggenmos
  • Patent number: 10730494
    Abstract: Described is a housing component of a housing of a vehicle pressure-medium-conducting apparatus, including: at least one connector bore having an internal thread for screwing-in a connector element having an external thread for feeding and/or discharging the pressure medium to/from the apparatus; in which a material of the housing component is composed, at least in a region of the connector bore, of a thermoplastic of PPA (polyphthalamide). Also described is a pressure-medium-conducting device of a vehicle, including: at least one housing having at least one housing component, wherein the housing component includes: at least one connector bore having an internal thread for screwing-in a connector element having an external thread for feeding and/or discharging the pressure medium to/from the apparatus; in which a material of the housing component is composed, at least in a region of the connector bore, of a thermoplastic of PPA (polyphthalamide).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Grebe, Kai Werner
  • Patent number: 10730495
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved plunger assembly for a vehicle brake system. The plunger assembly is operable as a pressure source to control brake fluid pressure supplied to one or more wheel brakes. The plunger assembly comprises a housing defining a cylinder; a reversible motor supported by the housing and having a rotor; and a linear actuator such as a ball screw/nut mechanism driven by the motor. A plunger head is mounted in the cylinder and driven by the linear actuator in first and second opposite directions. Improvements include an elastomeric tubular torque coupler connected to a ball screw/nut anti-rotation member; and a clamped connection at an inner race of a motor bearing for securing the rotor to the ball screw/nut component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety US Inc.
    Inventors: Blaise Ganzel, John Cassidy, William Caldwell
  • Patent number: 10730496
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit, in particular for a controllable-slip vehicle brake system, includes a housing block, a pump, a first fluid duct, and a second fluid duct. The housing block defines a pump receptacle that receives the pump, which has a suction side and a pressure side. The first duct crosses the pump receptacle in a region of the pressure side of the pump. The second duct leads into the pump receptacle in the region of the pressure side. The first and second ducts are sealed off from each over via a separation point. The hydraulic unit is configured to enable contact with a damping device configured to damp pulsations and reduce operating noise of the hydraulic unit without negatively impacting functional properties of the hydraulic unit, in particular on pressure build-up dynamics of the vehicle brake system, or without jeopardizing a compact construction of the hydraulic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Beate Schumann, Bernd Haeusser, Oliver Gaertner, Horst Beling, Wolfgang Mailaender, Wolfgang Schuller, Rolf Stotz, Oliver Hennig, Goekhan Oezkan, Michael Schuessler
  • Patent number: 10730497
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a main brake cylinder arrangement for a motor vehicle brake system, comprising: at least one piston, which can be displaced along a displacement axis (V) and, together with a housing arrangement, delimits a pressure chamber; a force input member, which is displaceable according to a brake pedal actuation and is coupled or can be coupled to the piston for common displacement; an elongated position encoder element, which is displaceable according to an actuation of the force input member; a detection unit, which is designed to detect a displacement of the position encoder element; and a receiving region, which is designed to receive the position encoder element at least in part. The ends of the position encoder element are each arranged in a different housing region (F, S), which is arranged in a fluid path between the first and second housing region (F, S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Seibert
  • Patent number: 10730498
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for building pressure within a secondary braking system (SBS) of a vehicle having a plurality of brakes. The system may comprise a reservoir and a primary braking system (PBS) including a master cylinder including a primary circuit portion, a plurality of valve subsystems, a primary path connecting the master cylinder to the plurality of valve subsystems, and at least one valve disposed along the primary path between the master cylinder and the plurality of valve subsystems. The PBS also includes a secondary path connecting the reservoir to at least one valve subsystem of the plurality of valve subsystems, and no valves are disposed within the secondary path. The SBS is connected to the at least one valve subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Veoneer Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnie Spieker, Alexandru Versin
  • Patent number: 10730499
    Abstract: An electronically controllable pneumatic brake system includes a brake circuit, wherein a control valve is associated with the brake circuit for the purpose of adjusting braking pressures at service brakes independently of each other, wherein the control valve comprises an electronic control input for receiving an electrical control signal and a pneumatic control input for receiving a control pressure. The pneumatic brake system additionally includes a first control unit for outputting the electronic control signal depending on a target vehicle deceleration for the electrical actuation of the control valve, a first brake valve configured to specify a first brake valve control pressure, and a second brake valve configured to output a second brake valve control pressure. The second brake valve is disposed such that the first brake valve control pressure and/or the second brake valve control pressure is output as the control pressure to the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Otremba
  • Patent number: 10730500
    Abstract: A parking brake device for a utility vehicle includes at least one control valve device, at least one relay valve, at least one pneumatic brake device and at least one trailer control module. The relay valve is controllable by the control valve device, and at least the pneumatic brake device can be actuated by the relay valve. Upstream of the trailer control module, another valve includes a first connector, a second connector and a third connector. A second connecting line is connected to the second connector and to the control valve device. A third connecting line is connected to the third connector and to the trailer control module. A first connecting line is connected to the first connector and to a first line arranged downstream of the relay valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Schnittger, Fabian Griesser
  • Patent number: 10730501
    Abstract: A brake system for actuating a pair of front wheel brakes and a pair of second wheel brakes. The brake system includes a reservoir and a brake pedal unit having a housing with first and second pistons slidably disposed in the housing. The first and second pistons are operable during a manual push-through mode by actuation of a brake pedal connected to the brake pedal unit. The first and second pistons are movable to generate brake actuating pressure at first and second outputs for actuating the pair of front wheel brakes and the pair of rear wheel brakes. A first source of pressurized fluid actuates the pair of front wheel brakes and the pair of rear wheel brakes during a non-failure normal braking event. A first electronic control unit controls the first source of pressurized fluid. A second source of pressurized fluid is hydraulically connected to the brake pedal unit and actuates the brake pedal unit to cause movement of the first and second pistons for generating pressure at the first and second outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety US Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise J. Ganzel
  • Patent number: 10730502
    Abstract: A vehicle system including a propulsion system coupled to a drive wheel and a friction brake configured to apply braking torque to a vehicle wheel is described. Operation thereof includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor vehicle speed, vehicle grade, and an operator braking request, and execute instructions upon achieving a vehicle speed that is less than a threshold speed. The instructions include controlling, via the friction brake, the braking torque to achieve a desired vehicle speed, and determining an operator acceleration request and the vehicle grade. The controller determines a minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request, and releases the friction brake only when the operator acceleration request is greater than the minimum vehicle grade-based operator acceleration request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kris Sevel, Mindy L. Barth, Alan G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 10730503
    Abstract: This invention provides a secure self-driving system or drive-assisting system. A drive control system of the present invention has an image recognition unit for detecting the peripheral environment of a vehicle and a drive control apparatus that controls driving of the vehicle, characterized by having a peripheral environment storage unit for storing the peripheral environment of the vehicle and by changing a mode of drive control performed by the drive control apparatus on the basis of a detection performance status of the image recognition unit obtained on the basis of information about the peripheral environment stored in the peripheral environment storage unit and information detected by the image recognition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Taisetsu Tanimichi
  • Patent number: 10730504
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine for applying a driving force to a vehicle wheel, a speed detector for detecting a driving speed, a slope detector for detecting a slope of a road, an input for receiving a departure command and an arrival command, and a controller, when a route addition mode is selected, acquiring and storing road condition information of a route between a departure time and an arrival time based on a driving speed and a slope of the road, which is detected from when the departure time at which the departure command is received until the arrival time at which the arrival command is received, and the controller, when a route driving mode is selected, controlling driving of the engine based on the stored road condition information of the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Jun Shin, Jeewook Huh
  • Patent number: 10730505
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an intelligent vehicle controller, an electric motor, a battery, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and an electrical generator coupled to the ICE configured to provide electricity to the battery and the electric motor. The intelligent vehicle controller receives ICE power level shifting data from the electrical generator, ICE, battery, and electric motor. The intelligent vehicle controller determines a desirable torque and/or a desirable revolutions per minute (RPM) for the ICE based on the received ICE power level shifting data by utilizing an efficiency map that includes fuel efficiency contours and noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) level lines for the hybrid electric vehicle. The intelligent vehicle controller may have first and second vehicle operation modes, and may derive first and a second desirable power levels for the ICE in the first and second operation modes, based on the ICE power level shifting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC
    Inventors: Mehran Bidarvatan, Thomas Gacka
  • Patent number: 10730506
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle including an electronic control unit configured to turn on a second inverter in three phases when an accelerator operation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined operation amount during predetermined traveling in which the hybrid vehicle is traveling with the engine operated in a state in which a first inverter and a second inverter are shut down and when a rotation speed of a first motor is equal to or less than a predetermined rotation speed. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly increase a rotation speed of the first motor to be higher than a predetermined rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuka Inoshita
  • Patent number: 10730507
    Abstract: A method of controlling gear shift for a hybrid vehicle with a dual clutch transmission (DCT) may include making a request for reduction in transmission input torque at a time point of entrance into down shift to a first stage from a second stage, determining whether the vehicle is accelerated via manipulation of an accelerator pedal during the down shift, and controlling to begin to gradually reduce an transmission input torque reduction request amount in a torque phase period in which clutch torque is exchanged after a first-stage gear is engaged upon determining that the vehicle is accelerated during the gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyun Woo Lim
  • Patent number: 10730508
    Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with a torque sensor configured to detect a torque, and which is disposed between an internal combustion engine and a first switching device on a first transmission path. When the first switching device is switched from a disconnected state to a connected state, a control device calculates a torque difference between a target torque of the internal combustion engine corresponding to a specified point on the first transmission path, and a detected torque or the like detected by the torque sensor. Further, the control device generates in a first rotary electric machine or a second rotary electric machine a compensation torque that compensates for the torque difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hoshino, Yutaka Arimura, Tatsuya Ohzu, Shingo Soma, Yosuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10730509
    Abstract: A fail-safe method for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, having a motor connected between an engine and a transmission, and an engine clutch connected between the engine and the motor, includes: operating the engine using a starter and engaging the engine clutch; switching a first gearing map, which determines a change in a gear ratio of the transmission depending on a throttle vale opening rate regulated by an accelerator pedal and a vehicle speed obtained, to a second gearing map, which allows the gear ratio to change at a higher vehicle speed than that before the motor system failure occurs; and assisting a driving power of a first battery consumed by a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) with a counter electromotive power of the motor generated during operating of the engine in an engaged state of the engine clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kuk Cho, Ji Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 10730510
    Abstract: A tilt-sensing apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a controller; and a motion tracker, wherein the controller is configured for communication with the motion tracker and a display, wherein the motion tracker is configured for attachment to a vehicle at a position remote to the display and comprises a first tilt sensor configured to measure a first tilt angle with respect to a first axis and a second tilt sensor configured to measure a second tilt angle with respect to a second axis, wherein the controller is configured to receive data via an output of the motion tracker, said data comprising the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle, and communicate an instruction to the display to display a graphical representation indicative of the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle, and associated method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: RTMS Pty Limited
    Inventors: Simon James Ross, Daniel Condran, Darren Irving
  • Patent number: 10730511
    Abstract: A communication device having a wireless receiver configured to receive first signals from a vehicle and a wireless transmitter wherein the communication device transmits second signals containing information about a state of the vehicle to an external information device on the basis of the first signals via the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Breuel, Arndt Böhme
  • Patent number: 10730512
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to dynamic map layers for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles and allowing real-time (e.g. latency of less than one second) updates utilizing a plurality of available surrounding sensors (e.g., collaborative sensors), including roadside sensors and sensors of other nearby vehicles. When a vehicle detects an obstruction to a field of view of a sensor, the vehicle may request sensor data from other vehicles to fill the gap in sensor data of the vehicle. This allows the vehicle driver or vehicle illumination system to be focused on the obstructed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: PCMS HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Matti Kutila, Mikko Tarkiainen, Pertti Peussa, Ari Virtanen
  • Patent number: 10730513
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes at least one electronic control unit configured to recognize at least one object, calculate a time to collision, operate first driving assistance, when the time to collision is equal to or less than a first threshold value, operate second driving assistance for avoiding the collision between the at least one object and the host vehicle or reducing damage of the collision, when the time to collision is equal to or less than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, and set, while the first driving assistance is operated, the second threshold value to a second setting value smaller than a first setting value set when the first driving assistance is not operated, when a second target object causing the second driving assistance to operate is the same object as a first target object causing the first driving assistance to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Nagata, Minami Sato, Miyuki Kamatani, Akitoshi Minemura
  • Patent number: 10730514
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a manner of extending the use of originally-equipped automotive vehicle sensors to other types of transportation. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring data from a vehicle-equipped detachable sensor about one or more object in an environment around a non-automotive entity when the vehicle-equipped detachable sensor is mounted to the non-automotive entity. The vehicle-equipped detachable sensor is capable of sensing a portion of an environment around an automotive vehicle and configured to communicate with a mobile device. The vehicle-equipped detachable sensor is also structured to be detached from the automotive vehicle and mounted to the non-automotive entity. The method includes determining, based on the acquired data, whether a detected object impinges upon a current travel trajectory of the non-automotive entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Frederick, Scott P. Robison
  • Patent number: 10730515
    Abstract: A method of operating an auto-braking system of a vehicle in coordination with operation of a speed limiting system (SLS) of the vehicle to prevent undesired loss of auto-braking functionality. If: a) a driver input of an engine power control parameter (such as throttle setting) exceeds an activation threshold of the SLS so that the SLS is therefore limiting vehicle speed to a set-speed corresponding to the activation threshold; and b) the driver input of the power control parameter is below a SLS override threshold; and c) the SLS override threshold exceeds an auto-braking override threshold for the power control parameter; then the auto-braking override threshold is increased to at least equal the SLS override threshold. The speed limiter activation threshold may be determined from speed limit information supplied by a vehicle navigation system of by an image evaluating unit from images obtained by a camera of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregor Allexi, Daniel Blickheuser, Florian Schweter
  • Patent number: 10730516
    Abstract: A saddled vehicle driven by a driver can include a detection device and a cruise control device for judging the other vehicles detected by the detection device and traveling in a same traffic lane as the own vehicle's traffic lane as a preceding vehicle and for automatically controlling travel of the vehicle driven by the driver so that the vehicle driven by the driver follows the preceding vehicle and keeps a preset intervehicular distance relative to the preceding vehicle. The cruise control device can obtain a forward intervehicular distance which is a distance from the vehicle driven by the driver to the preceding vehicle in a traveling direction and a side intervehicular distance which is a distance from the vehicle driven by the driver to the preceding vehicle in a vehicle width direction and can perform the automatic travel control of the vehicle driven by the driver in accordance with the forward intervehicular distance and the side intervehicular distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Kazuyoshi Miyachi
  • Patent number: 10730517
    Abstract: A driving system for a vehicle includes: a communication device; at least one processor; and a computer-readable medium coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations including: acquiring, through the communication device, driving control data from a first autonomous driving vehicle; determining a driving speed based on the acquired driving control data; and based on the driving speed, generating a control signal configured to track the first autonomous driving vehicle within a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsoo Park, Kwangsik Kong
  • Patent number: 10730518
    Abstract: A system includes a first device and a second device connected via an on-board network. In a case where a driving assistance function is selectively installed on a vehicle, the first device transmits repeatedly a CAN frame having a predetermined CAN-ID from start of the vehicle to stop of the vehicle. The second device receives a CAN frame having a CAN-ID uniquely set for a function with regard to the vehicle. And the second device is configured to: (i) record to both a first recording region and a second recording region of a memory in a case where it is determined that the CAN-ID included in the received CAN frame is the predetermined CAN-ID; and (ii) record only to the second recording region in a case where it is not determined that the CAN-ID included in the received CAN frame is the predetermined CAN-ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Kojima
  • Patent number: 10730519
    Abstract: A switchback control apparatus for an industrial vehicle, includes a forward and reverse operating part, a forward and reverse position detector detecting a position of the forward and reverse operating part, a vehicle speed detector; and a shift control section shifting the transmission forcibly to a first speed stage and then, releasing the first speed stage of the transmission that is set forcibly when the forward and reverse operating part is shifted from the forward position to the reverse position or from the reverse position to the forward position by the forward and reverse position detector and a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detector greater is than or equal to a threshold value that is smaller than a shift-up vehicle speed for shifting the transmission from the first speed stage to a second speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yukikazu Koide, Hirokazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10730520
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes an engine, a refrigerant compressor, a lock up clutch, a throttle valve, and first, second, and third deceleration controllers. The second deceleration controller controls the lock up clutch to a slip state and controls the throttle valve openwise on the condition that the refrigerant compressor is in the stopped state on decelerated travel of a vehicle in a second speed region in which a vehicle speed is lower than a first vehicle speed and higher than a second vehicle speed lower than the first vehicle speed. The second deceleration controller controls the lock up clutch to a disengaged state and controls the throttle valve closewise on the condition that the refrigerant compressor is in the operative state on the decelerated travel of the vehicle in the second speed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kinoshita, Hirofumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10730521
    Abstract: An autonomous drive system for a vehicle includes at least one environment perception sensor, a perception module, a location module, an intention prediction module, and a control module. The perception module is configured to receive signals from the at least one environment perception sensor and detect and track at least two remote vehicles in one or both of a current lane and a neighboring lane. The location module is configured to determine a location of the vehicle. The intention prediction module is configured to generate predicted trajectories for the at least two remote vehicles. The control module is configured to receive signals from the at least one environment perception sensor and receive the predicted trajectories from the intention prediction module. The control module determines a location and time for a lane change based on the predicted trajectories and controls the vehicle to change lanes at the determined location and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., RobotWits, LLC
    Inventors: Maxim Likhachev, Ellis Marshal Ratner, Lu Lyu, Yunfei Xu, Takashi Bando, Jonathan Michael Butzke
  • Patent number: 10730522
    Abstract: A lane change support apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to, when it is recognized that there is an abnormality in a driver of a host vehicle, determine whether or not lane change is possible. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the lane change is possible when a vehicle speed of the host vehicle is lower than a predetermined upper limit speed, a following vehicle present closest to the host vehicle has stayed in a rear guard vehicle approval range for a predetermined time or longer, and a vehicle is not present in a lane change allowance gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taiyo Uejima
  • Patent number: 10730523
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes a control portion that is allowed to execute a control mode that controls multiple hydraulic elements to cause a vehicle in a stop state of an engine to start moving. The control mode starts controlling part of the multiple hydraulic elements before the engine is started, by using oil pressure accumulated in an accumulator (S8). The control mode starts controlling the rest of the multiple hydraulic elements by using oil pressure that is provided after the engine is started (S16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Quentin Demain, Mitsuru Takahashi, Hiromitsu Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 10730524
    Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a sensory system and a control system. The sensor system is configured to generate signals indicative of at least one of a physiological characteristic of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Dale J. Frye, James T. Hotary, Cedric Ketels, Rudy K. Yukich, Houstin L. Lichtenwalner, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 10730525
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring fatigue during operation of equipment is provided. A system includes a processor subsystem; and a memory comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor subsystem, cause the processor subsystem to: determine a number of fatigue events of that an operator experienced while operating equipment over a time period; determine a weighted alertness score based on the number of fatigue events, the weighted alertness score determined using a non-linear function; and initiate a remedial response based on the weighted alertness score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel G. Smith, Todd A. Dawson, Matthew D. Fletcher, Snigdha N. Pande, Xinyu L. Wen, Silvano V. Angelone, Samuel R. Soto, Elisa B. Begner
  • Patent number: 10730526
    Abstract: A driver assist design analysis system includes a processing system and a database that stores vehicle data, vehicle operational data, vehicle accident data, and environmental data related to the configuration and operation of a plurality of vehicles with driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system also includes one or more analysis engines that execute on the processing system to determine one or more driving anomalies (e.g., accidents or poor driving operation) based on the vehicle operational data, and that correlate or determine a statistical relationship between the driving anomalies and the operation of the driver assist systems or features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventor: Marc Fredman
  • Patent number: 10730527
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for implementing cognitive state recognition within a telematics system includes determining moving object operation behaviors of an operator of a moving object corresponding to respective select contextual combinations, generating a personalized base characteristic for each select contextual combination, recognizing a cognitive state based on a comparison of actual moving object operation behaviors associated with the select contextual combinations and corresponding ones of the personalized base characteristics, and automatically triggering one or more actions based on the cognitive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhi Hu Wang, Shiwan Zhao, Jun Zhu, Li Zhang, Guo Qiang Hu
  • Patent number: 10730528
    Abstract: A method for determining a safety-critical yawing motion of a vehicle includes comparing a specification signal representing an ascertained setpoint yaw rate of the vehicle for an anticipated trajectory of the vehicle to a measuring signal representing an instantaneous yaw rate of the vehicle measured based on an actual trajectory of the vehicle, thereby generating a comparison signal; checking whether an amplitude of the comparison signal exceeds a first threshold value and whether a frequency of the comparison signal exceeds a second threshold value; and, in response to the amplitude exceeding the first threshold and the frequency exceeding the second threshold, outputting a yawing-motion signal indicating presence of the safety-critical yawing motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chengxuan Fu, Solomon Devakiruba Selvakumar