Patents Issued in March 1, 2022
  • Patent number: 11262721
    Abstract: A movement controller of a machine uses in the context of processing a part program defining a useful processing action a parameter set having a plurality of parameters to determine, based on commands of the part program and actual values of a number of axes of the machine controlled by the movement controller, control commands for drives of the machine which are associated with the axes and to apply the determined control commands to the drives. A checking device checks the respective parameters for compliance with conditions defined by respective physical characteristics. In many cases, the checking device can determine the respective physical characteristics using other parameters of the parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: David Bitterolf, Carsten Hamm, Theo Reichel
  • Patent number: 11262722
    Abstract: Provided is a monitoring and controlling unit for use in an autonomous system with self-X properties, including a test data interface for receiving test data, a real data interface for receiving real data, wherein the test data is compared with the real data to determine whether there is a part of new data in the real data, if a part of new data is identified in the real data, the test data is updated with the part of new data and an output interface for sending the updated test data, which can be further processed into at least one executable test. Further, provided is an according autonomous device, an autonomous system, method of self-testing of an autonomous system and computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Helmut Götz, Ivan Tritchkov
  • Patent number: 11262723
    Abstract: A machining path generation device which generates a cutting path upon rough cutting a workpiece by a turning process, and a numerical control device equipped therewith, are provided to shorten the path during rough cutting, and thus reliably shorten the cycle time. The device includes a storage unit which stores information of a cutting start point and a cutting end point of rough cutting; a finishing allowance permitted range setting unit which sets a finishing allowance permitted range for a finishing step; and a cutting path generation unit which generates a cutting path connecting the cutting start point and the cutting end point in a cross-sectional view in a direction along a rotation axis line of the workpiece, the cutting path arranged within the finishing allowance permitted range, and shorter than a path following along a shape line of a product form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 11262724
    Abstract: The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6? in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CNA MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Ray Cook, Justin Somers Stamen, Brian Lee Miller, Steven Heath Mason, Kenneth O'Neil Kelly
  • Patent number: 11262725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a manufacturing process, comprising the steps of: detecting a workpiece with a sensor unit of a portable device, sending the information acquired by the sensor unit to a database and applying a workpiece-specific data set, detecting the workpiece before, during and/or after carrying out a machining step or a handling step on the workpiece by the sensor unit of the portable device, updating the data set stored in the database before, during and/or after carrying out a machining step or handling step on the workpiece. The manufacturing process can, for example, relate to the machining of a board-shaped workpiece, such as a solid wooden board, a chipboard, a MDF board, a HDF board, or a workpiece made of another wood material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: David Frick, Manuel Friebolin, Joachim Graf, Andreas Kuehne
  • Patent number: 11262726
    Abstract: A cable processing machine control system includes middleware for data exchange with data brokers of multiple cable processing machines, and a wearable communication device for data exchange with the middleware. When a user of the cable processing machine control system has logged into the wearable communication device, depending on a role of the user that is assigned by the middleware, different information is displayed for the user on the wearable communication device via the cable processing machines assigned to the assigned role of the user and/or different action possibilities for controlling the cable processing machines assigned to the assigned role of the user are provided for the user on the wearable communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KOMAX HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Daniel Emmenegger, Beat Arpagaus
  • Patent number: 11262727
    Abstract: An integrated simulation system includes a first simulation device which executes a simulation of a first program, a second simulation device which executes a simulation of a second program, a start timing setting section which sets start timing for the correlated first program and second program so as to verify the presence or absence of malfunctions caused by a start order of the correlated first program and second program, and a program starting section which issues commands to the first simulation device and the second simulation device to start the correlated first program and second program at the set start timing by a single starting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kozo Inoue
  • Patent number: 11262728
    Abstract: An address identification method, apparatus, system, storage medium, a processor and a terminal are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes: defining a screening library including at least one expected attribute value describing an expected state value of a device parameter to be addressed in an operating mode of an industrial device; acquiring a data group including an actual state value generated in the operating mode and an address where the actual state value is stored; for each address, extracting an actual attribute value, stored in the address, of the actual state value; comparing the actual attribute value with the expected attribute value, determining the actual state value corresponding to the actual attribute value which complies with the expected attribute value, and determining, from the data group, an address corresponding to the selected actual state value; and taking the selected address as a final address and outputting same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS LTD., CHINA
    Inventors: Liang Zhang, Wei Sun, Yang Wang, Li Hong Hu
  • Patent number: 11262729
    Abstract: A method is described in which a 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) file is adapted for use with a three-dimensional (3D) printing system. The 3MF file includes at least one 3D model having polygonal slices. The method comprises parsing the 3MF file, generating an intermediate file for the 3D model included in the 3MF file, and performing a polygon cleanup for the polygonal slices of the 3D model of the intermediate file. The polygon cleanup is performed using an implementation of a polygon clipping algorithm. Further, the method comprises generating a resulting file for the intermediate file comprising the polygonal slices for which the polygon cleanup has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sergio Gonzalez, Jordi Sanroma, Jordi Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11262730
    Abstract: A method for determining an adapted master value of a master axis, wherein a setpoint slave value for a slave axis is derivable from the adapted master value via a synchronism function and a drive on the slave axis is operated in synchronism with the master axis based on the setpoint slave value, where the adapted master value is determined based on a base master value of the master axis and a time difference of operative times of determinable events on the master axis and slave axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Raimund Kram
  • Patent number: 11262731
    Abstract: The present invention sets a single machining point on a plurality of tool path rows, selects a machining point in a prescribed range with the point to be machined as the center, calculates the tool orientation at the point to be machined by way of averaging the tool orientation of the selected machining point of interest, corrects data pertaining to the tool orientation of the point to be machined by way of the calculated average tool orientation, acquires the shape data of a workpiece to be machined and the shape data of a ball end mill to be used, performs an interference check for the workpiece and the ball end mill on the basis of the corrected tool orientation data, and generates a new tool path on the basis of data pertaining to the corrected tool orientation when no interference between the workpiece and the ball end mill occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiro Yasukochi, Kyohei Suzuki, Soichiro Asami
  • Patent number: 11262732
    Abstract: A plant monitoring system includes a plurality of distributed recording units in which programs for transmitting at least a portion of a group of a pieces of state monitoring information of the plant to a predetermined information processing device are previously recorded in a plurality of storage devices in a distributed manner, a determination unit that sequentially acquires the pieces of state monitoring information and determines whether or not the acquired pieces of state monitoring information satisfy a program execution condition prescribed in advance, and an execution request output unit that outputs a program execution request corresponding to the program execution condition to the distributed recording units in a case where the program execution condition is satisfied. Each of the distributed recording units includes a program execution processing unit that reads and executes the program designated by the execution request in a case where the execution request is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Takao
  • Patent number: 11262733
    Abstract: A method and device for configuring an intelligent electronic device, IED, hosting a logical node instance are provided. Incoming signals of the IED are bound to inputs of a function, the function being performed by the logical node instance in operation of an industrial automation control system, IACS. To bind the incoming signals to the inputs of the function, a computing device determines, based on an input data template of the logical node instance, which data is required by the logical node instance to perform the function. The computing device determines, using process related information of the IACS, source IEDs of the IACS that provide the data required by the logical node instance to perform the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Stephan Gerspach, Wolfgang Wimmer
  • Patent number: 11262734
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating robustness of engineering components. An example method includes receiving an engineering problem definition for a multidimensional engineering domain of an engineering component, in which the engineering problem definition includes a description of a plurality of engineering features of the engineering component. Executing an optimal stratified sampling algorithm that obtains a plurality of probabilistic samples from the multidimensional engineering domain. Selecting optimal combinations of higher fidelity models, reduced order models and response surfaces for execution of the probabilistic samples. Executing the probabilistic samples using the selected combinations to determine a respective engineering response for each engineering feature of the plurality of engineering features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Vinay Ramanath, Christopher Bachman, Anant Kumar Mishra, Himanshu Bhatnagar
  • Patent number: 11262735
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a monitoring system for data collection in an industrial environment including a data collector communicatively coupled to a plurality of input channels, wherein at least one input channel is connected to a high data rate source; a data storage structured to store detection parameters for the plurality of input channels, wherein a high data rate detection parameter is stored, wherein the high data rate detection parameter comprises at least a portion of data from the high data rate source; a data analysis circuit structured to analyze the plurality of detection values by evaluating a data handling constraint of the monitoring system with respect to the high data rate detection parameter; and a response circuit structured to adjust a data selection parameter to thereby adjust a data volume handled by the monitoring system in response to the data handling constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Howard Cella, Gerald William Duffy, Jr., Jeffrey P. McGuckin, Mehul Desai
  • Patent number: 11262736
    Abstract: Methods and systems for policy automation for a data collection system in an industrial environment are disclosed. A policy input interface may be structured to receive policy inputs relating to definition of at least one parameter of at least one of a rule, a policy, or a protocol, wherein the at least one parameter defines at least one of: a configuration for a data collection device, an access policy for accessing data from the data collection device, or a collection policy for collection of data by the data collection device, and a policy automation engine structured to interpret the policy inputs and automatically configure and deploy the at least one of the rule, the policy, or the protocol within the data collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Howard Cella, Gerald William Duffy, Jr., Jeffrey P. McGuckin, Mehul Desai
  • Patent number: 11262737
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a vehicle steering system are disclosed. An example monitoring system for a vehicle steering system may include a vehicle steering system comprising a rack, a pinion, and a steering column; a data acquisition circuit structured to interpret a plurality of detection values corresponding input sensors operationally coupled to the rack, the pinion, or the steering column; a data storage circuit structured to store specifications, and to buffer the plurality of detection values for a predetermined length of time. The example system may further include a timer circuit structured to generate a timing signal based on a first detected value of the plurality of detection values; a steering system analysis circuit to determine a steering system performance parameter in response to a relative phase difference and a response circuit structured to perform at least one operation in response to the steering system performance parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Howard Cella, Gerald William Duffy, Jr., Jeffrey P. McGuckin, Mehul Desai
  • Patent number: 11262738
    Abstract: A method and a device for the functional testing and evaluation of a control system. The method for functional testing of sensors, actuators, and/or a control logic system of a control system controlled in at least a partly automated manner has the following: sending at least one stimulus to a sensor, an actuator, and/or to the control logic system of the control system; reading out at least one reaction of the control system from the sensor, from the actuator, from the control logic system, and/or from a connection between these components; and using a metric module to compare the reaction with a stored expected reaction, the metric module determining a metric according to which deviations of the read-out reaction from the expected reaction are to be evaluated with respect to the intended function of the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Feyerabend, Elena Pancera, Heinz Hertlein, Oliver Pink, Thomas Goeppel
  • Patent number: 11262739
    Abstract: An Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning driven assessment system for monitoring electrical equipment assets includes a computer system that is configured to receive user-provided asset data associated with operation of a plurality of electrical equipment assets operated by a plurality of users/owners, where the identity of any asset in the database is restricted and only known to the user that owns/operates the asset. The computer system is configured to analyze the user data in conjunction with a pooled knowledge database so as to generate courses of action or assessments for the monitored electrical equipment assets and to update the analysis process based on feedback from a comparison of the assessment or course of action with an actual outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Lony Tehini, Luiz Cheim, Stephen Pearce
  • Patent number: 11262741
    Abstract: A building management system includes building equipment operable to affect a physical state or condition of a building, a system manager coupled to equipment via a system bus, and a cloud-based data platform. The system manager is configured to obtain timeseries data from the building equipment and generate a request for a timeseries identifier based on the timeseries data. The cloud-based data platform includes a timeseries service configured to receive the request for the timeseries identifier from the system manager, create a timeseries for the building equipment, assign the timeseries identifier to the timeseries, and send the timeseries identifier to the system manager. The system manager is configured to generate a timeseries sample comprising the timeseries data and send the timeseries sample to the timeseries service along with the timeseries identifier which identifies the timeseries sample as a sample of the timeseries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Lisa E. Strand, Pravin J. Duraisingh, Christopher T. Ammerman
  • Patent number: 11262742
    Abstract: Techniques are provided herein for creating well-balanced computer-based reasoning systems and using those to control systems. The techniques include receiving a request to determine whether to use one or more particular data elements, features, cases, etc. in a computer-based reasoning model (e.g., as data elements, cases or features are being added, or as part of pruning existing features or cases). Conviction measures are determined and inclusivity conditions are tested. The result of comparing the conviction measure can be used to determine whether to include or exclude the feature, case, etc. in the model and/or whether there are anomalies in the model. A controllable system may then be controlled using the computer-based reasoning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Diveplane Corporation
    Inventors: Ravisutha Sakrepatna Srinivasamurthy, Christopher James Hazard, Michael Resnick, Ju Hyun Kim, Yamac Alican Isik
  • Patent number: 11262743
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for predicting leading indicators for predicting occurrence of an event at a target asset. Rather than rely on traditional manufacturer-defined leading indicators for an asset, the examples herein predict leading indicators for a target asset based on actual operating conditions at the target asset. Accordingly, unanticipated operating conditions can be considered. In one example, the method may include receiving operating data of a target resource, the operating data being associated with previous occurrences of an event at the target resource, predicting one or more leading indicators of the event at the target resource based on the received operating data, each leading indicator comprising a variable and a threshold value for the variable, and outputting information about the one or more predicted leading indicators of the target resource for display via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Rashmi Shetty B, Leonard Brzezinski, Lauren McMullen, Harpreet Singh, Karthik Mohan Mokashi, Simon Lee, Lukas Carullo, Martin Weiss, Patrick Brose, Anubhav Bhatia
  • Patent number: 11262744
    Abstract: To provide a diagnostic service system and diagnostic method using a network. A factory monitoring system (100) comprises a factory monitoring system (100) which includes: a data acquisition unit (1011) that acquires data related to at least one machine, including time information; and a stored data management unit (1012) that stores data related to each machine acquired by the data acquisition unit in a storage unit (1002) together with identification information of each machine, wherein, based on past history data related to the machine and current data related to the machine, the diagnostic service system (1) predicts a possibility of abnormality occurrence in the machine, and provides preventative maintenance information related to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Kamiguti, Norinaga Mutai, Yujiro Honda
  • Patent number: 11262745
    Abstract: A method for operating a redundant automation system having a plurality of subsystems, wherein one subsystem of the plurality of subsystems operates as a master and assumes process control and the other subsystem operates as a reserve during redundant operation, where measures are provided by which the availability of the redundant automation system is increased, and where regardless of whether transient errors occur on the subsystem of the plurality of subsystems operating as the master or on the subsystem operating as the reserve, a total failure of the automation system is largely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Kleifges, Juergen Laforsch
  • Patent number: 11262746
    Abstract: A flight processor that calculates a 4-dimensional trajectory having a sequence of two or more position, time and cost (x, y, z, t, c) tuples that minimize a defined cost. Some embodiments generate cost-optimized trajectories with simple or complex constraints and bounds such as fixed AGL altitude; minimum AGL altitude; maximum AGL altitude; minimum MSL; maximum MSL; avoidance of restricted airspace; adherence to non-restricted airspace such as easements; adherence to ground-based guideways, if applicable; and the constraint to maintain adequate radio frequency signal-to-noise needed for communications to the ground station or backhaul systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: sevama, LLC
    Inventors: Drew F. Van Duren, Raja Sengupta, Christian G. Manasseh
  • Patent number: 11262747
    Abstract: Identification and guidance systems configured to facilitate vehicle management in logistics yards or the like are described. The systems can include an identification and guidance (I/G) unit attached to each transport vehicle within the logistics yard. The I/G unit transmits information (e.g., location and guidance information) over a wireless network to a remote controller. The remote controller can transmit relevant information received from the I/G unit to a portable communications device associated with the transport vehicle to which the I/G unit is mounted. For example, the portable communications device may be located in a tractor being used to maneuver the transport vehicle about the logistics yard so that the driver can use the information displayed on the portable communications device to assist with maneuvering the transport vehicle. Related methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems AB
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Daryl Day
  • Patent number: 11262748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle and a control method therefor. The electronic device for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present invention comprises: a first sensor for sensing a first direction; a second sensor for sensing a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a processor electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein the processor may be configured to: determine whether the unmanned aerial vehicle is located in a first environment on the basis of at least one sensing data obtained by the first sensor; control sensing operations of the first sensor and the second sensor according to the determination result; and control motion of the unmanned aerial vehicle on the basis of at least one sensing data obtained by the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Samasung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Woo Park, Sung-Jun Kim, Ju-Yeoung Kim, Bo-Ram Namgoong, Ji-Hyun Park, Jung-Ho Ahn, Euy-Beom Lee, Man-Su Han, Kyung-Hee Lee, Ju-Yeong Lee
  • Patent number: 11262749
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one control inceptor to provide pilot control of an associated vehicle and a communications interface to process external entity SA data associated with an external entity that is received at a communications system associated with the associated vehicle. An SA video screen displays video data to a pilot of the associated vehicle. The video data includes pilot-perspective visual data corresponding to a real-time dynamic virtual representation of surroundings of the associated vehicle that simulates a real-world visual perspective of the pilot to the surroundings of the associated vehicle and is responsive to the pilot control. A visual indicator of the external entity is superimposed onto the pilot-perspective visual data at an approximate location corresponding to an actual location of the external entity relative to the associated vehicle and beyond a visual range of the pilot based on the external entity SA data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Garrick F. Talavera, Robert A. Garland, Jr., Douglas M. DeVore
  • Patent number: 11262750
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: adjusting a first flight control device of a rotorcraft to control flight around a first axis of the rotorcraft, the first flight control device exercising flight control authority around the first axis of the rotorcraft; detecting a failure of the first flight control device; transitioning at least a portion of the flight control authority around the first axis of the rotorcraft from the first flight control device to a second flight control device of the rotorcraft, the transitioning being performed automatically in response to detecting the failure of the first flight control device; and adjusting the second flight control device to control flight around the first axis of the rotorcraft, the second flight control device being adjusted by a first control process when the rotorcraft is in a first flight mode, the second flight control device being adjusted by a second control process when the rotorcraft is in a second flight mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Ruckel, Jeremy Robert Chavez
  • Patent number: 11262751
    Abstract: A traveling control apparatus comprises: a control unit configured to control traveling of a vehicle to switch between first traveling control that does not need monitoring by a driver and second traveling control that needs monitoring by the driver; and a recognition unit configured to recognize a state of the driver, wherein in a case in which traveling of the vehicle by the first traveling control is impossible, in accordance with a result of recognition by the recognition unit, the control unit performs switching from the first traveling control to the second traveling control, or executes third traveling control of making a safety margin larger than in the first traveling control without switching from the first traveling control to the second traveling control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 11262752
    Abstract: A vehicle controller that controls a vehicle having a first driving mode in which the vehicle travels according to a first control signal based on manual driving or automated driving, and has a second driving mode in which the vehicle travels according to the second control signal based on remote driving is provided, the vehicle controller including a signal comparing unit that compares, to a first control signal, a second control signal acquired by a second control signal acquiring unit while a vehicle control unit is controlling the travelling of the vehicle according to the first control signal, and a mode control unit that causes the vehicle to exit the first driving mode and enter the second driving mode when a comparison result by a signal comparing unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Mori
  • Patent number: 11262753
    Abstract: In a vehicle control system, a control unit of the vehicle control system executes a stop process by which the vehicle is parked in a prescribed stop area when it is detected that the control unit or the driver has become incapable of properly maintaining a traveling state of the vehicle. In the stop process, the control unit determines a plurality of available stop areas according to the vehicle surroundings and map information, and computes, for each available stop area, a cumulative travel risk obtained by accumulating a travel risk involved in traveling from a position of the vehicle when the stop process is initiated to each available stop area and a stop risk in stopping in each available stop area, the control unit determining a final stop area by comparing the cumulative travel risk with the stop risk in each available stop area sequentially from the nearest one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kanoh, Kanta Tsuji, Tadashi Naruse, Daichi Kato, Takuya Tobe
  • Patent number: 11262754
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a plurality of sensors, a wireless communication unit, and a control device that is configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors and via the wireless communication unit relating to at least one of an environmental condition, a mechanical condition and a health-rated condition. The control unit formats the received data into a predetermined format corresponding to at least one detected condition, and compares the at least one detected condition to a plurality of known conditions. The control unit is further configured to identify a detected known condition when the at least one detected condition matches at least one of the plurality of known conditions, to select, in response to identifying the detected known condition, an automatic autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, and then to execute a predetermined driving maneuver corresponding to the detected known condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mariano Herrero, Yang Li
  • Patent number: 11262755
    Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine when the vehicle is currently in a user-selected predefined driving situation and, responsive to the determination, control operation of the vehicle to implement a vehicle response mode associated with the user-selected predefined driving situation. The vehicle response mode may include an initial control mode specifying one or more initial indicators of the vehicle response mode, and a conditional secondary control mode specifying one or more secondary indicators of the vehicle response mode. The one or more initial indicators and the one or more secondary indicators are configured to be perceivable by a person exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Heishiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11262756
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides autonomous vehicle systems and methods that include or otherwise leverage a motion planning system that generates constraints as part of determining a motion plan for an autonomous vehicle (AV). In particular, a scenario generator within a motion planning system can generate constraints based on where objects of interest are predicted to be relative to an autonomous vehicle. A constraint solver can identify navigation decisions for each of the constraints that provide a consistent solution across all constraints. The solution provided by the constraint solver can be in the form of a trajectory path determined relative to constraint areas for all objects of interest. The trajectory path represents a set of navigation decisions such that a navigation decision relative to one constraint doesn't sacrifice an ability to satisfy a different navigation decision relative to one or more other constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lee Phillips, Don Burnette, Kalin Vasilev Gochev, Somchaya Liemhetcharat, Harishma Dayanidhi, Eric Michael Perko, Eric Lloyd Wilkinson, Colin Jeffrey Green, Wei Liu, Anthony Joseph Stentz, David McAllister Bradley, Samuel Philip Marden
  • Patent number: 11262757
    Abstract: Disclosed are an autonomous driving apparatus for performing autonomous driving of a vehicle and a controlling method thereof. An autonomous driving apparatus according to an example aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor configured to acquire sensing information to determine a driving state of the vehicle; a storage configured to store a plurality of autonomous driving models; and at least one processor configured to perform autonomous driving of the vehicle using one of the plurality of autonomous driving models stored in the storage based on sensing information sensed by the sensor. Accordingly, the autonomous driving apparatus is capable of performing autonomous driving of a vehicle by rapidly changing a driving mode to an autonomous driving mode suitable for an event occurring during autonomous driving of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seowoo Jang, Unkyu Park, Daehyun Ban, Seongwon Han
  • Patent number: 11262758
    Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method implemented on a vehicle. The system comprises one or more sensors, one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to perform: obtaining data from the one or more sensors; comparing the obtained data from the one or more sensors with reference data; determining whether one or more characteristics of the obtained data deviate from corresponding characteristics of the reference data by more than a respective threshold; in response to determining that one or more characteristics of the data obtained deviate from corresponding characteristics of the reference data by more than a respective threshold, determining an action of the vehicle based on amounts of the one or more deviations; and performing the determined action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dingli
  • Patent number: 11262759
    Abstract: A system and method for localization of an autonomous vehicle based on 3D point cloud are disclosed. The system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory tangibly storing thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive an initial position of a vehicle; receive a data file representative of a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud from a LIDAR scanning subsystem of the vehicle; divide the 3D point cloud into a plurality of tiles and compute a plurality of key points for each tile; generate an estimated low frequency 2D position and yaw angle for the vehicle based on a particle filter process and a dynamically downloaded 2D reference map; and generate a position and orientation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan Ren, Bingbing Liu
  • Patent number: 11262760
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body, one or more propulsion units configured to propel the UAV through the air, and a carrier supported by the central body. The carrier is configured to support and permit a payload to move relative to the central body. The carrier includes a guide coupled to the central body and a gimbal configured to couple a payload to the guide. The gimbal is further configured to flip the payload above the carrier when the payload is at a top end of the guide relative to the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI OSMO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hao Liu
  • Patent number: 11262761
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a virtual line setter configured to set virtual lines in front of a gate on the basis of the position of the gate, and a gate passing controller configured to perform vehicle control when a vehicle passes through the gate on the basis of the virtual lines set by the virtual line setter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daichi Kato, Kazuyuki Takahashi, Akihiko Otsu, Akira Mizutani, Atsushi Ishioka
  • Patent number: 11262762
    Abstract: An autonomous navigation system may autonomously navigate a vehicle through an environment in which one or more non-solid objects, including gaseous and/or liquid objects, are located. Sensors, including sensors which can detect chemical substances in a region of the environment, may detect non-solid objects independently of an opacity of the objects. Non-solid objects may be determined to present an obstacle or interference based on determined chemical composition, size, position, velocity, concentration, etc. of the objects. The vehicle may be autonomously navigated to avoid non-solid objects based on positions, trajectories, etc. of the non-solid objects. The vehicle may be navigated according to avoidance driving parameters to avoid non-solid objects, and a navigation system may characterize a non-solid object as a solid object having dimensions and position which encompasses the non-solid object, so that the vehicle is navigated in avoidance of non-solid objects as if the non-solid objects were solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Byron B. Han, Young Woo Seo, Kit-Man Wan
  • Patent number: 11262763
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using risk profiles for creating and deploying new vehicle event definitions to a fleet of vehicles are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: obtain a first risk profile, a second risk profile, and vehicle event characterization information; select individual ones of the previously detected vehicle events that have one or more characteristics in common; determine circumstances for at least a predefined period prior to occurrences of the selected vehicle events; create a new vehicle event definition based on the determined set of circumstances; distribute the new vehicle event definition to individual vehicles in the fleet of vehicles; and receive additional vehicle event information from the individual vehicles in the fleet of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Shayne Brookins, David Forney, Reza Ghanbari, Jason Palmer, Mark Freitas
  • Patent number: 11262764
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system for generating a path for a vehicle from a source to a target within a two-dimensional (2D) environment with one or more obstacles is disclosed. The obstacles may be dynamic, static or both. The method comprises generating, in a two dimensions-plus-time space, a velocity cone that represents a set of potential waypoints reachable from a first source for the vehicle moving at a speed, providing a polytope, obtaining at least one interception polygon by intersecting and projecting the velocity cone with the polytope on the 2D region; generating a 2D scene comprising interception polygons to avoid, computing a visibility graph algorithm for the 2D scene and obtaining a plurality of conflict-free sub-paths, and composing a valid path connecting the source to the target based on the plurality of conflict-free sub-paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Francisco A. Navarro, Lucas Rodriguez Diaz, Ernesto Valls Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11262765
    Abstract: Method and vehicle for tracking the position of a remotely operated vehicle following a set route relative to tracks laid out on a frame structure forming a grid, the vehicle having first and second sets of wheels connected to drives for moving the vehicle in corresponding x- and y-directions on the grid, the method comprising: receiving information of the number of track crossings to pass between start and stop positions in x- and y-directions according to the set route; directing sensors attached to the vehicle at the tracks along the route of the vehicle; detecting and monitoring track crossings passed when moving the vehicle in the x- and y-directions according to the set route, and transmitting a signal to a controller, controlling the drives of the wheels of the vehicle, when the number of track crossings passed is close to the total number of track crossings to pass between the start and stop positions in respective x- and y-directions along the set route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventors: Ingvar Hognaland, Ivar Fjeldheim, Jørgen Djuve Heggebø
  • Patent number: 11262766
    Abstract: A pool cleaning system for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool includes a self-propelled pool cleaner having rotatably-mounted supports for supporting and guiding the cleaner on the pool surface; an electric motor for enabling the rotation of the rotatably-mounted supports on the pool surface; at least one camera to capture imagery of the pool surface; a controller, in electronic communication with the at least one camera, to determine a cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface on which the cleaner has passed based on the camera imagery and generate a control signal to direct movement of the cleaner based on the cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface, and a portable electronic device configured to present a graphic on a display, the graphic depicting the submerged surface of the pool and those portions of the surface that remain uncleaned as the cleaner traverses the pool surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa
  • Patent number: 11262767
    Abstract: A method of controlling tilt-trim position of a trimmable device on a marine vessel includes receiving an engine speed, a vessel speed, a vessel pitch, and/or a vessel acceleration. A trim rate is then determined based on the engine speed, the vessel speed, the vessel pitch, and/or the vessel acceleration. The trim rate specifies a rate of rotation of the trimmable device about a horizontal axis, and the trim rate is determined such that the rate of rotation is minimized at high vessel speeds and high engine speeds and the rate of rotation is maximized at low vessel speeds and low engine speeds. A variable speed trim actuator is then controlled to rotate the trimmable device based on the trim rate so as to adjust a trim position of the trimmable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle F. Karnick, Andrew J. Przybyl, Steven M. Anschuetz
  • Patent number: 11262768
    Abstract: A cap with electromagnetic proportional valve, includes a pilot cap mounted on a valve housing and defining a pilot chamber, and an electromagnetic proportional valve mounted on the pilot cap and adapted to control a pressure of a working fluid supplied to the pilot chamber. The pilot cap includes a supply port into which a working fluid of a fluid pressure supply source is supplied, a discharge port from which the working fluid is discharged to the tank, a primary pressure passage which leads the working fluid at a primary pressure to the electromagnetic proportional valve from the supply port, a secondary pressure passage which leads the working fluid whose pressure is reduced to a secondary pressure by the electromagnetic proportional valve to the pilot chamber, and a drain passage which leads the working fluid discharged from the electromagnetic proportional valve to the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kitani, Nobuyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11262769
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a method for tracking the quality of a beverage produced according to a batch process that includes adding ingredients to water to form a batch, measuring the density of the batch in real time using an in-line density device, monitoring changes in density of the batch, detecting deviations from the batch process based on the changes in density, and correcting for any detected deviations from the batch process in real time. Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of detecting inhomogeneity in real time for a batch process for producing a beverage. Other aspects of the disclosure include a method of tracking addition of ingredients for producing a beverage in a batch process includes sequentially adding a plurality of ingredients to water according to a standard recipe to form a batch and correcting for any detected deviations from the recipe in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Saman Choubak, Badreddine Ahtchi-Ali
  • Patent number: 11262770
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve comprises a valve housing comprising a pressure-regulating chamber having an inlet for high pressure fluid and an outlet for pressure-regulated fluid, and a valve element received in the pressure-regulating chamber and movable axially therein for regulating the pressure of the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet. The valve element comprises a regulating element having a regulator head slidably and sealingly received in the valve housing, the regulating element extending into the regulating chamber, at least one spring, and an adjustment head for adjusting an initial compression of the at least one spring within the regulating chamber. The at least one spring is integrally formed with and extends between the regulator head and the adjustment head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kamil Czechowski, Tomasz Wański
  • Patent number: 11262771
    Abstract: A pressure capsule/header assembly for a process fluid pressure transmitter is provided. An isolator plug has an isolation diaphragm at a first end thereof and a second end spaced from the first end. The isolator plug has a fill fluid passageway fluidically coupling the first end to the second end. A header has a first end configured to carry a pressure sensor and a second end spaced from the first end. The header has at least one electrical interconnect extending from the first end to the second end. A biaxial support ring is disposed about an outer surface of the header. The biaxial support ring and the header define a tapered interference interface therebetween. The header is welded to the isolator plug at a first weld and the biaxial support ring is welded to the isolator plug at a location that is spaced from the second end of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Petersen, Nicholas E. Meyer, David M. Strei