Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
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Patent number: 10967849Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of wheels; a motor configured to apply a driving force to the plurality of wheels; a rain detector configured to detect a precipitation; a temperature detector configured to detect outside temperature; and a controller configured to control a torque of the motor based on the precipitation detected by the rain detector and the outside temperature detected by the temperature detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Do Youn Jang
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Patent number: 10967850Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling driving of a vehicle, and a vehicle system are provided. The apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a determination device that determines a closed state of an engine clutch, based on a state of a motor or an engine of the vehicle when a state of the engine clutch is unknown by an engine clutch controller. A state determination device receives information from the determination device to thus determine whether the engine clutch is in a closed or open state. A motor controller allows reverse rotation of the motor for reverse driving control of the vehicle in response to determining that the engine clutch is in the open state.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Yeon Bok Kim, Tae Woo Kim
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Patent number: 10967851Abstract: A vehicle system includes a camera, a sensor, and processors for detecting an unoccupied parking spot while the vehicle traverses a detection path. The processors define a variable virtual boundary based on at least one object detected on a side of the detection path excluding the unoccupied parking spot and generates at least one parking maneuver based on the unoccupied parking spot and the variable virtual boundary.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Markus Krekel, Ahmed Benmimoun, Andrew Ochmanski, Thomas Gerlitz, Nadja Wysietzki, Cinderella Matuk, Li Xu, Kyle Simmons
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Patent number: 10967852Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system for displaying an image of a vehicle blind spot are provided. The apparatus is coupled to at least one external camera disposed outside the vehicle, at least one internal camera disposed inside the vehicle with a lens facing towards a driver, and at least one display disposed inside the vehicle. The method comprises capturing an image of the external environment of the vehicle by the external camera as an external image, capturing an image including the driver by the internal camera as an internal image, recognizing a face of the driver and a displacement of the face in the internal image, and adjusting a position of an ROI in the external image according to the recognized displacement, to display an image of the ROI on the display corresponding to the external camera. The displayed image of the external of the vehicle may be adjusted according to the posture or the angle of view of the driver, to have the image of the current blind spot by the driver shown correctly.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Hsueh-hsin Han, Hsuan-chieh Huang
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Patent number: 10967853Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, upon determining that a yaw rate for a host vehicle is below a threshold, identify a front corner point of a target, and to suppress threat mitigation when a time to collision between the host vehicle and front corner point of the target exceeds a time threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Purushothaman Rayalsamy, Christopher Pontisakos, Alex Maurice Miller
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Patent number: 10967854Abstract: A driving supporter includes: an object-information obtainer that obtains object information relating to at least an object in an area; an environment obtainer that obtains a relative positional relationship between the own vehicle and the object located in the area and identified based on the object information obtained by the object-information obtainer; and a support inhibitor that inhibits driving support when an absolute value of a steering operation value representing a magnitude of a steering operation is greater than an inhibition threshold value. The support inhibitor includes a threshold-value determiner that determines the inhibition threshold value to a smaller value when the relative positional relationship is a specific relationship in which it is estimated that a steering operation in a direction in which the own vehicle avoids the object is to be performed, than when the relative positional relationship is not the specific relationship.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroaki Kataoka
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Patent number: 10967855Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling the same are provided to advance a control start time of an (ADAS) of a vehicle. The vehicle includes an image capturing device that detects an object using an image of the object located in a peripheral region of a vehicle and a detection sensor that acquires position information of the object and speed information of the object. An input receives a command for starting the ADAS and a controller starts the ADAS when a traveling environment and traveling status of the vehicle satisfy a predefined condition. A warning start time of the ADAS is advanced by a predetermined period of time after starting operation of the ADAS and an operation release reference value for releasing the operation of the ADAS is set to be greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Sungmin Ji
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Patent number: 10967856Abstract: The present radio system transmits an electromagnetic signal to nearby devices requesting the device respond. The radio system also receives responses to the electromagnetic signal from the nearby devices. Based on the radio technology used, the signaling of the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be varied. For example, the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be a Bluetooth, 802.11, or other radio signal. A device that received the signal from the radio unit may transmit a response signal with the same radio technology. However, in some instances, the radio technology used for communication may operate on several radio (e.g., frequency) channels. Both the transmitter and receiver must operate on the same channel at the same time in order to communicate. Thus, it may be desirable to transmit the electromagnetic signal on more than one channel at the same time, in order to increase the chances that a nearby device responds.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventor: Pierre-yves Droz
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Patent number: 10967857Abstract: In a driving support device for a vehicle, a collision prediction unit uses a determination plane defined by a lateral position axis indicating a position with respect to a vehicle in a lateral direction orthogonal to a vehicle traveling direction, and a prediction time period axis indicating a time-to-collision set in the vehicle traveling direction. Specifically, the collision prediction unit establishes a first collision prediction area as an area in the determination plane. The collision prediction unit determines whether an object is present in the first collision prediction area. Based on this determination, the collision prediction unit predicts a collision between the vehicle and the object. The width of the first collision prediction area along the lateral position axis is set based on the width of the vehicle. The lateral position of the first collision prediction area is set based on the speed of the object and the time-to-collision.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Shogo Matsunaga
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Patent number: 10967858Abstract: A vehicle speed-limit control method is provided. The method includes determining whether a speed-limit control inactivation condition is satisfied by accelerator pedal engaged when speed-limit control is activated. In response to determining that the inactivation condition is satisfied, a candidate value of an accelerator pedal sensor (APS) and a candidate gear shift stage are determined and a speed margin is determined based on the candidate value of the APS, the candidate gear shift stage and a vehicle speed. The speed margin is compared with a predetermined threshold. The candidate gear shift stage is determined as a transition gear shift stage and the candidate value of the APS is determined as a transition value of the APS when the speed margin is equal to or greater than the threshold. The vehicle is operated based on the transition gear shift stage and the transition value of the APS.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Kyeom Cho, Hui Un Son, Joon Young Park, Sung Deok Kim
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Patent number: 10967859Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus controls a vehicle that is performing automated driving traveling. The vehicle control apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to acquire deceleration information of another vehicle by communication with the other vehicle; a setting unit configured to set, for a deceleration of the vehicle, a range of an allowable deceleration that allows a vehicle speed change within a predetermined range; a determination unit configured to compare the deceleration of the vehicle with a deceleration included in the deceleration information and determine whether deceleration control of matching the deceleration of the vehicle with the deceleration of the other vehicle can be performed within the range of the allowable deceleration; and a control unit configured to perform the deceleration control of the vehicle based on a determination result of the determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiyuki Mizuno, Takayuki Kishi, Yoshiaki Konishi, Makoto Kurihara
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Patent number: 10967860Abstract: A vehicle control device is provided which is capable of properly satisfying an acceleration request from a driver even when the driver performs a step-on operation of an accelerator pedal in the implementation of an ACC mode. The vehicle control device is capable of: a front car follow-up travel mode, in which a driving force and a transmission ratio are controlled based on a first accelerator position (AP1) for an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle to be a target inter-vehicle distance; and an override mode, in which the driving force and the transmission ratio are controlled based on a second accelerator position (AP2) determined by an operation of an accelerator operator performed by a driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuichiro Takemori
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Patent number: 10967861Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a first vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. While doing so, a second vehicle may be identified. This vehicle may be determined to be a tailgating vehicle. An initial allowable discomfort value representing expected discomfort of an occupant of the first vehicle and expected discomfort of an occupant of the second vehicle may be identified. Determining a speed profile for a future trajectory of the first vehicle that meets the value may be attempted based on a set of factors corresponding to a reaction of the tailgating vehicle. When a speed profile that meets the value cannot be determined, the value may be adjusted until a speed profile that meets the value is determined. The speed profile that meets an adjusted value is used to control the first vehicle in the autonomous driving mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventor: Tobias Kunz
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Patent number: 10967862Abstract: A computing system can receive sensor log data from one or more first autonomous vehicles (AVs) operating throughout a transport service region, and analyze the sensor log data against a set of road anomaly signatures. Based on analyzing the sensor log data against the set of road anomaly signatures, the computing system may identify road anomalies within the transport service region, and generate a resolution response for each road anomaly. The computing system can then transmit the resolution response to one or more second AVs to cause the one or more second AVs to respond to the road anomaly.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: UATC, LLCInventor: Alyson Bonk
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Patent number: 10967863Abstract: A control device of a vehicle with a stepped automatic transmission has: a gradient acquiring part; a driving force calculating part; a future change estimating part; and a shift control part. The shift control part prohibits change of the gear stage when the speed of change of the speed or acceleration of the vehicle in the future if the maximum driving force applied, is within a reference range of speed of change where the occupants would not notice a change in speed or acceleration, and permits change of the gear stage when the speed of change of the speed or acceleration of the vehicle in the future if the maximum driving force applied, is outside the reference range of speed of change.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideki Takamatsu, Hirofumi Sato, Shojiro Suga, Katsumi Kono, Akira Hino, Masato Matsubara
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Patent number: 10967864Abstract: This vehicle control device is provided with: an external sensor which detects a vehicle stop position present ahead of a host vehicle in the travel direction; and a remaining distance calculation unit which calculates the remaining distance to the detected vehicle stop position from the host vehicle. The vehicle control device is further provided with a medium-term trajectory generation unit and a short-term trajectory generation unit which use a predefined setting method to set a target speed for decelerating the host vehicle in accordance with the calculated remaining distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Oguro, Daichi Kato, Chihiro Abe
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Patent number: 10967865Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, electric machine torque is adjusted according to a wheel torque in a wheel torque creep mode where an engine provides torque to vehicle wheels. Operating the electric machine in this way may allow the electric machine to emulate wheel creep torque that is generated via an engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yanan Zhao, Jason Meyer, Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering
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Patent number: 10967866Abstract: A power-train controlling apparatus controls a power train of an engine electric hybrid vehicle. The power train is provided with an engine, a catalytic converter, an oxygen-level sensor, an engaging element, and an electric rotating machine. The power-train controlling apparatus includes a fuel injection controller, a catalyst diagnosing unit, and an engaging-element controller. The fuel injection controller stops fuel injection to the engine during coasting of the vehicle while the engaging element is engaged, introduces oxygen to the catalytic converter, and resumes the fuel injection in a fuel-rich state while the vehicle is running. The catalyst diagnosing unit diagnoses the catalytic converter after the resuming of the fuel injection. The engaging-element controller prohibits transition of the engaging element to a released state during a period between the stopping of the fuel injection and completion of the diagnosing of the catalytic converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Atsushi Kaneko, Tatsuya Nishizawa
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Patent number: 10967867Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently providing occupancy information on the surroundings of a vehicle, which vehicle has sensors for ascertaining the occupancy of the surroundings. The method includes the following steps: receiving sensor measurements of the surroundings of the vehicle; determining the occupancy of the surroundings by obstacles using the sensor measurements; providing a division of the surroundings into regions; for each region of the surroundings, determining the most certainly identified occupancy in the respective region if multiple occupancies of the surroundings have been detected in the respective region; and determining the next occupancy, namely the respective region occupancy for which the shortest distance has been determined according to a distance determination specified for the respective region; and providing the most certainly identified occupancy and the next occupancy.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Benoit Vanholme, Michael Manz
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Patent number: 10967868Abstract: The invention relates to a driving assistance method for a vehicle, wherein the movement of the vehicle in the direction of travel can be influenced in accordance with a traffic-controlling signal system positioned on the road in front of the vehicle and having cyclically recurring signal states, and wherein, inside the vehicle, first data relating to the position of a stop line associated with the signal system, and second data relating to the start times and end times of individual signal states of the signal system are determined via a first data processing system (electronic horizon) and provided in the form of data packets (messages) (A, B) for electronic control devices by means of a data connection inside the vehicle, and wherein individual data packets contain at least the following data: an earliest possible and/or latest possible time for the exchange of a signal phase, as well as a most probable time of the exchange of a signal phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Hongjun Pu
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Patent number: 10967869Abstract: A road surface condition estimation apparatus (1) is provided with a collecting device (111) for collecting, from vehicle (2), behavior information relating to a behavior of the vehicle; a determining device (112) for determining on the basis of the behavior information whether or not an abnormality condition is satisfied, the abnormality condition being set on the basis of a specific behavior that is expected to be taken by the vehicle when the vehicle encounters a road surface abnormality; and an estimating device (112) for estimating a condition of the road surface on the basis of a determined result of the determining device.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yosuke Kimura, Hiroshi Majima, Masaya Fujimori, Takeo Moriai, Tatsuya Obuchi
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Patent number: 10967870Abstract: A hill descent system for a vehicle and a control method thereof comprising: wheels; wheel speed sensors used for detecting the speeds of the wheels; motors used for selectively driving or braking the wheels; a motor controllers, for controlling the working states of the motors; resolver sensors for detecting the rotational speeds of the motors; and a vehicle control unit for determining the actual downhill speed of the vehicle and adjusting the working states of the motors to control the descent of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Heping Ling, Fanliang Meng, Mingchuan Shi, Yanfei Xiong, Weiqiang Chen
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Patent number: 10967871Abstract: In various embodiments, a driver sensing subsystem computes a characterization of a driver based on physiological attribute(s) of the driver that are measured as the driver operates a vehicle. Subsequently, a driver assessment application uses a confidence level model to estimate a confidence level associated with the driver based on the characterization of the driver. The driver assessment application then causes driver assistance application(s) to perform operation(s) that are based on the confidence level and modify at least one functionality of the vehicle. Advantageously, by enabling the driver assistance application(s) to take into account the confidence level of the driver, the driver assessment application can improve driving safety relative to conventional techniques for implementing driver assistance applications that disregard the confidence levels of drivers.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Stefan Marti, Joseph Verbeke, Sven Kratz
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Patent number: 10967872Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to transportation systems. More particularly, embodiments relate to methods and systems of vehicle data collection by a user having a mobile device. In a particular embodiment, vehicle movement data (also termed herein “driving data” or “data”) is collected, analyzed and transformed, and combinations of collected data and transformed data are used in different ways, including, but not limited to, reporting and display of the combinations.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TRUEMOTION, INC.Inventors: Rafi Finegold, Brad Cordova, Joe Adelmann, Philippe Bosshart, Matt McClure
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Patent number: 10967873Abstract: A processor associated with a vehicle receives sensor data from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle. Each sensor is configured to measure a different parameter of a driver of the vehicle. The processor applies a model to the received sensor data, which when applied causes the processor to output a determination, based on the parameters of the driver, of attentiveness of the driver to driving the vehicle. Responsive to the determination indicating the driver is not attentive to driving the vehicle, the processor causes the vehicle to output an alert to the driver or to automatically control a driving function of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Cobalt Industries Inc.Inventor: Rana June Sobhany
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Patent number: 10967874Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle, comprising: identifying an upcoming curve and determining its properties; determining current vehicle speed, vv, estimating friction, ?e, between a tire of the vehicle and the road; estimating maximum allowable vehicle speed, vmax_e, when entering the curve based on the properties, speed and friction; if the current vehicle speed is higher than the estimated maximum allowable vehicle speed, determining that a friction measurement is required; if distance, dv, between the vehicle and a curve entrance is higher than a predetermined threshold distance, dT, and if a braking action is detected, performing a friction measurement during the braking action to determine current friction, ?c; if a distance between the vehicle and the curve entrance is lower than the predetermined threshold distance, performing a friction measurement to determine a current friction; and determining a maximum allowable vehicle speed vmax_d based on the curve radius, speed and friction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Mats Jonasson, Mattias Brannstrom, Rickard Nilsson
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Patent number: 10967875Abstract: According to one aspect, an autonomous all-terrain vehicle (ATV) may include a controller receiving a command associated with autonomous driving and monitoring components of the autonomous ATV, a location unit determining a current location associated with the autonomous ATV and a destination location associated with the command, a navigation module determining one or more driving parameters based on map data associated with a path from the current location to the destination location, and a safety logic implementing an emergency stop based on an error determined by the controller. The controller may monitor the location unit and the navigation module for the error.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joshua D. VanLandingham, Maruthi Govindarajan, Kavya Vittala, Lichao Ma
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Patent number: 10967876Abstract: A vehicle control system including: a surrounding state detector is configured to detect a state of the surroundings, a first running assistor is configured to automatically control at least acceleration/deceleration or steering such that the subject vehicle can run along a route to a destination; a monitor is configured to monitor whether or not the first running assistor is in a predetermined state and limit an operation of the first running assistor in a case in which the first running assistor is in the predetermined state; and a second running assistor is configured to assist a occupant's driving on the basis of the result of the detection executed and perform steering control according to a relation between the subject vehicle and a lane in a case in which the first running assistor is determined as being in the predetermined state.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiko Asakura, Hironobu Kiryu, Satoru Otsuka
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Patent number: 10967877Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a recognition unit that is configured to recognize nearby vehicles traveling around a subject vehicle, an automated driving control unit that is configured to implement a plurality of automated driving modes in which at least one of speed control and steering control of the subject vehicle is automatically implemented, the plurality of automated driving modes having different degrees of surroundings monitoring obligation of the subject vehicle imposed on an occupant of the subject vehicle, and a management unit that is configured to manage the surroundings monitoring obligation of the subject vehicle, the management unit being configured to reduce the surroundings monitoring obligation of the subject vehicle when vehicle platooning in which the subject vehicle travels while following a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the subject vehicle among the nearby vehicles recognized by the recognition unit is implemented by the automated driving control unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiko Asakura, Kunimichi Hatano, Naoto Sen, Masaaki Abe
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Patent number: 10967878Abstract: A vehicle control system for controlling at least one subsystem of a vehicle; the vehicle control system comprising: a subsystem controller for initiating control of the or each of the at least one vehicle subsystems in one of a plurality of baseline subsystem control modes by setting at least one control parameter of the or each of the at least one subsystems to a predetermined, stored, value or state applicable to that baseline subsystem control mode, each baseline subsystem control mode corresponding to one or more different driving conditions for the vehicle; and input means for permitting a user to provide an input to the control system, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of baseline subsystem control modes, the control system is configured to allow a user to define, via the input means, a user-configured subsystem control mode based on one said at least one baseline subsystem control mode by adjusting the value or state of at least one of said at least one control parameters to a value or stateType: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Charlotte Cooke, Robert Burford, David Armstrong, Christopher Johnson
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Patent number: 10967879Abstract: An object of the present invention is to implement, at a low hardware cost, a device that changes an autonomous driving control parameter whose step size is variably set. An autonomous driving control parameter changing device according to the present invention includes, a gesture operation acquisition unit that acquires information on a gesture operation for moving the operation target icon, a parameter changing unit that changes the autonomous driving control parameter in an increase or decrease direction defined in association with a movement direction in which the operation target icon is moved, and a step size setting unit that variably sets a step size based on a predetermined condition, the step size corresponding to an amount of change in the autonomous driving control parameter made by the parameter changing unit per occurrence of the gesture operation, and the change operation screen includes a display of the step size.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Mitsuo Shimotani, Yoshitaka Nakamura, Tadashi Miyahara, Naohiko Obata, Tsutomu Matsubara
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Patent number: 10967880Abstract: A system and method for disabling a function of a feature of a vehicle based on a validation request to a centralized validation authority, prior to a use of the feature includes determining that a condition is met as part of a startup sequence of the vehicle, transmitting the validation request to the centralized validation authority, in response to determining the condition is met, wherein the validation request is part of the startup sequence of the vehicle, receiving a validation decision from the centralized validation authority, and disabling the feature of the vehicle as a function of the receiving the validation decision.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cesar Augusto Rodriguez Bravo, Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II
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Patent number: 10967881Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of ground-engaging members supporting the frame. Each of the plurality of ground-engaging members is configured to rotate about an axle. The utility vehicle further includes a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and a braking system configured to operate in a normal run mode and an anti-lock braking mode. The braking system includes an anti-lock braking control module operably coupled to the plurality of ground-engaging members and configured to automatically engage the anti-lock braking mode in response to a predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Harry Pongo, Brian E. Brandt, Joshua T. Weed, Agata Kaleta, Jacob J. Minick, Ryan D. Kincade
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Patent number: 10967882Abstract: An autonomous vehicle system, and a method of using same, includes an eye or face tracking sensor for tracking a user's movements or expressions, a head up display for displaying information to the user, an instrument cluster for providing driving measurements of the autonomous vehicle, a time of flight sensor, a camera monitor system for displaying a side or rear view of the vehicle, and a control unit to communicate with the eye or face tracking sensor, the head up display, the time of flight sensor, and the camera monitor system when receiving a request to turn over driving controls to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company LimitedInventor: Reinhold Langbein
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Patent number: 10967883Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle noises to notify the vehicle operator of speed changes in human-in-the-loop cruise control and semi-autonomous vehicle operation. In one example, a method for drive unit of a vehicle may include responsive to a vehicle speed meeting a predefined condition relative to a threshold vehicle speed, adjusting one or more drive unit actuators to modulate engine noise while maintaining desired wheel torque within a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Miller, Thomas Leone, Aed Dudar
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Patent number: 10967884Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided, for example, to detect and to provide alerting of a part of a vehicle subsequently moving into the path of travel of a bicyclist or other vehicle. In the context of a method, one or more events indicative of a part of a vehicle subsequently moving into a path of a bicyclist are detected. The method also includes taking an action, responsive to detection of the one or more events, to reduce the risk to a person outside the vehicle or another vehicle proximate the door of the vehicle, such as by providing an alert as to the vehicle subsequently moving into the path of the bicyclist or to at least temporarily prevent the vehicle from subsequently moving into the path of the bicyclist.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HERE GLOBAL B.V.Inventors: Frank Kozak, Chris Dougherty
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Patent number: 10967885Abstract: The dining car (10) includes first and second side structures laid out facing each other, and a first lower floor (16), the dining car comprising a first consumption area (Z1), a second preparation area (Z2), and a third technical area (Z3). The first side face includes first supporting portions intended to support a second upper floor (20), and the first (Z1), second (Z2) and third (Z3) areas are all made on the first lower floor (16).Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventor: Emmanuel Kondyra
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Patent number: 10967886Abstract: A rail car includes an elongated floor supporting a rail car body, a draft sill depending from the floor, and a crash energy management (CEM) system. The CEM system includes a coupler plate coupled to the draft sill and depending from the floor between the draft sill and a first end of the floor, a coupler support depending from the floor between the coupler plate and the first end of the floor, an elongated coupler assembly extending from the coupler plate in a direction of the first end of the floor via an opening defined by the coupler support, and at least one cable connected in tension between the coupler support and the coupler plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbHInventors: Simon Vergnaud, Daniel Koudolo, André Gagnon
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Patent number: 10967887Abstract: Provided is a bearing monitoring device of a railcar, the railcar being constituted by coupling a plurality of cars including carbodies and bogies, the bearing monitoring device including: bearing temperature sensors provided at the respective bogies and configured to directly or indirectly detect temperatures of bearings of the bogies; at least one state sensor provided at at least one of the carbodies of the plurality of cars and configured to be used for calculating loads or rotating speeds of the bearings; and a storage unit provided at at least one of the carbodies of the plurality of cars and configured to store data pieces of signals detected by the bearing temperature sensors and the state sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Yoshi Sato, Keiichiro Kamura, Masayuki Mitsue
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Patent number: 10967888Abstract: At an on-board control unit of an on-board apparatus, a coupling detecting unit detects coupling of a failure train with respect to the own train. Then, in the case where detection is performed by the coupling detecting unit, a train occupancy range calculating unit updates train length information using the number of vehicles of the failure train and uses the updated train length information to calculate train occupancy range information. Further, a traveling control unit controls traveling and stop of the own train as a series of coupled trains in the case where detection is performed by the coupling detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshifumi Nishi, Tamotsu Yokoyama, Tomonori Itagaki, Kenji Mizuno
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Patent number: 10967889Abstract: The invention relates to a point machine for a rail switch, comprising at least one switching mechanism, designed to transmit at least one switching force onto at least one switch point and at least one switching element, designed to transmit at least one switching force onto the switching mechanism. According to the invention, the at least one switching element is designed to convert a load which is moved by the switching element substantially in a longitudinal direction (L) relative to the switching element to a torque. The invention also relates to a switch point, a point device having said switch point, a rail switch comprising said point device, and a center buffer coupling and to a rail vehicle having said center buffer coupling and to a rail traffic system comprising the rail vehicle and the rail switch.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: SCHÄFER ZECHLIN GBRInventor: Tristan Schäfer
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Patent number: 10967890Abstract: A first antenna group includes one first antenna disposed at one end of a leading car, and another first antenna disposed at one end of a following car. A second antenna group includes one second antenna disposed at the one end of the leading car, the position where the one second antenna is disposed being different from the position where the one first antenna is disposed in a direction orthogonal to a travel direction of the leading car, and another second antenna disposed at the one end of the following car. A measurement unit measures radio wave strength between a pair of first antennas during communication via the first antenna group. A controller is enabled to make a switch from the first antenna group to the second antenna group when the radio wave strength is less than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuhiko Arashin, Takuji Maeda
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Patent number: 10967891Abstract: A method and system for identification of obstacles near railways and for providing alarm to an operator of a train if obstacles constitute threat to the train are disclosed. The system comprise IR sensor disposed at the front of the train facing the direction of travel. The IR sensor receives images of the rails in front of the train. The system comprises pre-stored vibration profile of the train's engine that is used to eliminate influence of the engine's vibrations on the accuracy of the received images. Presence of rails in the received frames is detected based on inherent differences of temperature between the rails and the substrate in the rails' background, such as the railway sleepers and the materials underneath it. The system may detect defects in an electric conductor system of a train.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: RAIL VISION LTDInventors: Elen Josef Katz, Yuval Isbi, Shahar Hania, Noam Teich
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Patent number: 10967892Abstract: A method and system for motion control of movers in an independent cart system is disclosed. In one implementation, the independent cart system includes a plurality of track segments, each section having a respective controller. One of the controllers receives a motion command for a plurality of carts, respectively. The controller generates a force command for each of the plurality of carts and transmits the respective commands to the track segments commutating the plurality of carts.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Cooper, David D. Van Dorpe, Patrick E. Ozimek, Shankernarayan Ramanarayanan
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Patent number: 10967893Abstract: A locomotive communication system includes a wireless communication device and a controller that controls operation of the wireless communication device. The controller directs the wireless communication device to switch between operating in an off-board communication mode and operating in an onboard communication mode. The wireless communication device communicates a remote data signal with an off-board location while the wireless communication device is operating in the off-board communication mode and the wireless communication device communicates a local data signal between the propulsion-generating vehicles of the vehicle system while the wireless communication device is operating in the onboard communication mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, Robert James Foy, David Michael Peltz, Eugene Smith, Steven Andrew Kellner, Brian William Schroeck, Keith Gilbertson, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Wolfgang Daum
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Patent number: 10967894Abstract: Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: THE ISLAND RADAR COMPANYInventor: Thomas N. Hilleary
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Patent number: 10967895Abstract: A method for safe supervising train integrity includes: (a) acquiring first position data of the first carriage via a first tracking unit which is installed on-board of a first carriage and acquiring second position data of a second carriage via a second tracking unit which is installed on-board of the second carriage, wherein the position data is related to a rail route coordinate system; (b) determining a deviation between a reference value which depends on the length of the train and a position value which depends on position data of at least one of the tracking units; (c) detecting whether train integrity is given by analyzing the deviation; (d) repeating steps a) through c); wherein the tracking units are part of on-board units of an automatic train protection system. Thus a cost-efficient method for supervising train integrity which complies with safety level SIL4 can be realized.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: THALES MANAGEMENT & SERVICES DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Harald Bauer, Veit Lauterberg, Christian Wallner, Klaus Mindel
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Patent number: 10967896Abstract: This invention is directed to a kit of coolers that offers a number of improvements over the prior art. The coolers are modified to specifically accommodate frozen gel ice packs instead of ice cubes. Because there is no spill water, the coolers open with front-facing pull-out drawers. The coolers stack atop one another with interlocking parts. Easy transport is provided by a handle and wheels, which may be attached to the bottom (main) bin or alternatively on a separate dolly. Internally, the cooler bins are compartmentalized horizontally or vertically with dividers. Hollow spaces within the walls and dividers of the bins accommodate frozen gel ice packs. Overall, the coolers are easier to pack and unpack, stack, load into a car, and transport on the ground than conventional ice chest coolers.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventor: Alina Kravchenko
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Patent number: 10967897Abstract: A foldable golf cart includes an upper frame, a lower frame, a handlebar set, a front wheel set, and two rear wheel sets. The upper frame is mounted on the lower frame. The front wheel set is mounted at a front end of the lower frame. The rear wheel sets are rotatably mounted on the left side and the right side of the rear end of the lower frame respectively. The handlebar set is connected with the upper frame through a first lock mechanism, the upper frame is connected with the lower frame through a second lock mechanism, and the first lock mechanism and the second lock mechanism are connected through a link mechanism. When the first lock mechanism is unlocked, the handlebar set is rotated, and at this moment, the link mechanism drives the second lock mechanism to be unlocked.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: NINGBO WENTAI SPORT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Sheng Zhang
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Patent number: 10967898Abstract: A motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, includes a support unit, which can be mounted on a vehicle body, and by which an actuator unit is held, in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis. An adjusting drive is connected to the support unit and to the actuator unit, and by which the actuator unit can be adjusted relative to the support unit. The adjusting drive includes a drive unit and a threaded spindle engaging in a spindle nut with a threaded spindle axis, wherein the threaded spindle can be driven in rotation or in translation by the drive unit. The drive unit is connected to a component of the steering column such that it is movable in a transverse direction transversely to the threaded spindle axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AGInventors: René Marco Schmidt, Samuel Gomez Redondo