Operation Efficiency (e.g., Engine Performance, Driver Habits) Patents (Class 340/439)
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Patent number: 11250648Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses of predictive maintenance of automotive transmission of vehicles. For example, the transmission has at least one sensor to measure a temperature in transmission fluid, the torque applied on a shaft of the transmission, a vibration sensor, and/or a microphone. During a period in which the vehicle is assumed to be operating normally, the sensor data generated by the transmission sensor(s) is used to train an artificial neural network to recognize the normal patterns in the sensor data. Subsequently, the trained artificial neural network is used to determine whether the current sensor data from the transmission sensor(s) are abnormal. A maintenance alert can be generated for the vehicle in response to a determination that the operations of the transmission are abnormal according to the artificial neural network and the current sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Poorna Kale, Robert Richard Noel Bielby
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Patent number: 11242233Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a person near a vehicle when said vehicle performs a movement. The vehicle is equipped with at least two speakers configured to emit sound alarms in opposite directions and each speaker that is oriented in the direction of the movement emits a first sound alarm, while each other speaker emits no sound or a second sound alarm that is different from the first sound alarm.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment ABInventors: Ahcène Nedjimi, Lilian Bruyere
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Patent number: 11242064Abstract: Systems and methods of analyzing a target vehicle based on other vehicles are disclosed. One or more computing devices may receive monitoring vehicle driving data collected from vehicle operation sensors within at least one monitoring vehicle by a telematics device. The one or more computing devices may further receive target vehicle driving data from the telematics device of the at least one monitoring vehicle. The one or more computing devices may determine a driving behavior associated with the target vehicle based on an analysis of the monitoring vehicle driving data and the target vehicle driving data. The one or more computing devices may calculate one or more driver scores based on the driving behavior.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Allstate Insurance CompanyInventor: Dana Ferguson
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Patent number: 11225214Abstract: A vehicle includes a window and a striker positioned to strike the window. The vehicle includes an actuator positioned to drive the striker. The vehicle includes a temperature sensor in communication with the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Hyde, Garam Jun, Joseph Edward Abramczyk, Nathan Kristofor Tardif, Matthew B. Makowski
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Patent number: 11214263Abstract: A management assistance system can include: an imaging device; a first monitoring device; a second monitoring device; an instruction terminal; and a server. The instructing terminal can be configured to determine whether or not the caution determination condition is satisfied based on first monitoring information transmitted from the first monitoring device and second monitoring information transmitted from the second monitoring device, and transmit a dashcam video cut instruction signal to the imaging device when determining that the caution determination condition is satisfied. The imaging device can extract information of a predetermined time width including a reception time of the dashcam video cut instruction signal from the continuous dashcam video information to create dashcam footage information, associates the dashcam footage information with date and time information and identification information, and transmits the dashcam footage information to the server.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Hitachi Transport System, Ltd.Inventors: Kiminori Sato, Yuhi Shinohara
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Patent number: 11214280Abstract: A method is disclosed for using an autonomous vehicle to teach a student how to drive. The method may include generating, by the autonomous vehicle during a training session, a plan for navigating a section of road. During the training session, the autonomous vehicle may receive control instructions from the student regarding how the student would like to navigate the section of road. If the autonomous vehicle determines that implementing the instructions would be safe and legal, it may implement those instructions. However, if the autonomous vehicle determines that implementing the instructions would not be safe and legal, it may execute the plan. During a training session, an autonomous vehicle may provide on a head-up display to the student certain visual feedback regarding a driving performance of the student.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Parsa Mahmoudieh, Jinesh J. Jain, Connie Zeng, Maryam Moosaei, Mohamed Ahmad
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Patent number: 11210929Abstract: Crowd-sourcing of vehicles and smart listening devices is used for neighborhood monitoring. A cluster server is configured within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles, wherein the neighborhood is associated with a cluster of dwellings. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. Upon detecting an alerting event with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. The cluster member receiving the message initiates its own responsive action to the alerting event.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert B. Kleve, Eric L. Reed, John R. Van Wiemeersch
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Patent number: 11208161Abstract: In a vehicle system, a driver information acquisition unit acquires information about a driver of a vehicle. A detection unit detects that there is a possibility that the vehicle has been damaged. An identification unit identifies a driver of the vehicle when it is detected that there is a possibility that the vehicle has been damaged, based on the acquired driver information.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kentaro Asai
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Patent number: 11195108Abstract: An abnormality detection device acquires sensor information indicating a state of a person and device information indicating a state of a device, determines whether there is a combination corresponding to the acquired sensor information and acquired device information in a learning database, and determines whether there is sensor information or device information corresponding to the acquired sensor information or the acquired device information in a behavior pattern database. If it is determined that the acquired sensor information is not in a normal range, the device determines that a current state is in the normal state when it is determined that there is the corresponding combination, and determines that the current state is in an abnormal state when it is determined that there is no corresponding combination and no corresponding sensor information or device information.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Shinya Taguchi
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Patent number: 11195184Abstract: A method for tracking insured assets is provided. Asset identifiers corresponding to assets to be monitored are received from a user. Each of the one or more assets is attached to a tracking device. Monitored assets are covered by one or more insurance policies. One or more geofence regions are defined associated with the one or more monitored assets. A location of each of the monitored assets is estimated, at least periodically. In response to determining that the estimated location of at least one of the monitored assets is outside of the corresponding one or more geofence regions, an insurance policy associated with this at least one asset is determined. A policyholder associated with the insurance policy is notified by sending a notification to policyholder's-preferred device. The notification inquires instructions for remedial actions from the policyholder. One or more remedial actions are initiated based on received policyholder's instructions.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: United Services Automobile AssociationInventors: David P. Dixon, Wayne M. Hartman, Gary S. Harris
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Patent number: 11193312Abstract: An apparatus including a capture device and a processor. The capture device may be configured to generate a plurality of video frames corresponding to an interior view of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to perform operations on the video frames to detect objects in the video frames, detect an occupant of the vehicle and a seat of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames, determine a status of the occupant based on characteristics of the occupant detected in the video frames and generate a signal in response to a comparison of the status of the occupant to a threshold. The characteristics may be determined by performing the operations on the occupant in the video frames. The signal may be configured to control a door lock. The door lock controlled by the signal may correspond to the seat used by the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Ambarella International LPInventor: Ching-Yu Weng
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Patent number: 11186278Abstract: An ACC function for performing constant speed cruise according to a target speed when there is no preceding other vehicle in a vehicle's own driving lane and performing following cruise by maintaining a predetermined inter-vehicle distance when there is a preceding other vehicle, an LKA function for maintaining cruise in the vehicle's own driving lane by following control to a target path, a function for performing automated lane change to a neighboring lane when there is no other vehicle in a predetermined range in the neighboring lane, an override function for stopping the automated lane change function by a driver's operation intervention, and a function for performing fallback control of the automated lane change function, with notifying the driver of stopping the automated lane change function and operation takeover.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Katsuhiko Sato
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Patent number: 11186199Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting in a hybrid electric vehicle display, proximate to or in some relation to each other, engine power usage, motor-generator power usage, and battery state of charge information. By combining the display of engine power usage, motor-generator power, and battery state of charge information, power distribution and related information may be presented to the operator of a vehicle to explain the vehicle's performance from a power split output and usage perspective. This can provide reassurance or confirmation that the vehicle is operating as it should, identify a problematic condition, etc. Sometimes, the motor-generator power usage may be presented as boost power, where motor-generator power can augment engine power.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Craig D. Herring, Aaron M. France
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Patent number: 11173912Abstract: An apparatus for providing a safety strategy in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense information about an external object and a control circuit configured to be electrically connected with the sensor. The control circuit is configured to initiate a minimum risk strategy (MRM), when a predetermined condition is met, to determine a lateral location of the vehicle based on information obtained by the sensor and a location of a driving lane of the vehicle on a road, and to move the vehicle to the determined lateral location while executing the MRM.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors CorporationInventors: Su Jung Yoo, Jun Soo Kim, Dong Hwi Lee, Jin Su Jeong
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Patent number: 11158188Abstract: An autonomous computing system managed through an internet of things (IoT) protocol is provided. A computing device determines a clustering of autonomous vehicles based on expression sentiment data of each passenger of a respective autonomous vehicle. A computing device determines a node within an IoT network and monitors a plurality of autonomous vehicles traveling though the node. A computing device identifies a time frame in which each respective vehicle in the cluster is predicted to pass through an intersection. A computing device identifies a current traffic pattern of a vehicle that is external to the cluster of autonomous vehicles. The one or more processors adjust the traffic flow to allow the clustering of autonomous vehicles to pass through an intersection at a rate that maintains a threshold level of comfort for each passenger in the determined cluster of autonomous vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Shubhadip Ray, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Avik Sanyal, John David Costantini
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Patent number: 11136038Abstract: An apparatus for providing a safety strategy in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense information about an external object and a control circuit configured to be electrically connected with the sensor. The control circuit is configured to initiate a minimum risk strategy (MRM), when a predetermined condition is met, to determine a lateral location of the vehicle based on information obtained by the sensor and a location of a driving lane of the vehicle on a road, and to move the vehicle to the determined lateral location while executing the MRM.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors CorporationInventors: Su Jung Yoo, Jun Soo Kim, Dong Hwi Lee, Jin Su Jeong
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Patent number: 11130424Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seat base, a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat base and having a front portion and a rear portion, and an actuator operable to change a position of the seating assembly. The assembly also includes a capacitive proximity sensor located on the seat back and configured to detect a user touch command and a user pressure command, and a controller for receiving the user touch command and pressure command and controlling the actuator to change a position of the seating assembly based on a user input.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jerry R. Brown, Sean Bayle West, Pietro Buttolo, James Robert Chascsa, II
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Patent number: 11131560Abstract: A navigational aid including an intelligent display mode and a communication system communicates with a vehicle's sensor system and/or historical- or time-based information to reduce the number of businesses that are displayed on the map by filtering out unneeded or less preferred services. When the vehicle's fuel level sensor detects that the fuel tank is almost empty, a message can be sent from the sensor system to the navigational aid such that the navigational aid can then begin showing a visual indication (e.g., text or graphical information such as an icon) of the location of fuel stations on the screen. Additionally, the location receiver indicates to the filter when the navigational aid is close to the programmed destination. At that point, the filter can be informed that it should start showing garages or areas where the vehicle can be parked without having cluttered the screen with parking garages that were not close to the destination. Similarly, when in need of other services (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Inspired Possibilities, LLCInventor: Mark Gottlieb
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Patent number: 11125178Abstract: A state detection system for an internal combustion engine includes: a memory configured to store mapping data, the mapping data being data that defines a detection mapping, the detection mapping being a mapping between an input and an output, the input being a rotation waveform variable and a drive system rotation speed variable and the output being a value of a combustion state variable, and the detection mapping including a joint operation of the rotation waveform variable and the drive system rotation speed variable based on a parameter learned by machine learning; and a processor configured to execute an acquisition process and a determination process, the acquisition process being configured to acquire a value of the drive system rotation speed variable, the determination process being configured to determine whether or not the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined operating state.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yohsuke Hashimoto, Akihiro Katayama, Yuta Oshiro, Kazuki Sugie, Naoya Oka
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Patent number: 11111869Abstract: A state detection system for an internal combustion engine includes: a memory configured to store mapping data, the mapping data being data that defines a detection mapping, the detection mapping being a mapping between an input and an output, the input being a first waveform variable and a second waveform variable and the output being a value of a combustion state variable, and the detection mapping including a joint operation of the first waveform variable and the second waveform variable based on a parameter learned by machine learning; and a processor configured to execute an acquisition process and a determination process. The acquisition process acquires a value of the first waveform variable. The determination process determines whether or not the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined operating state.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yohsuke Hashimoto, Akihiro Katayama, Yuta Oshiro, Kazuki Sugie, Naoya Oka
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Patent number: 11110940Abstract: A method and driver assistance system for generating touch-based alerts to a driver in a vehicle is disclosed. The driver assistance system receives frames including the driver in vehicle and detects position of face of the driver in plurality of frames. Facial attributes of the driver are identified based on position of the face and one or more eye attributes of the driver are determined based on the identified one or more facial attributes. Based on the facial attributes and the one or more eye attribute sensory information is estimated from a plurality of sensory data. Further, information regarding haptic sensation is computed for the driver based on estimated sensory information and a position of hands of the driver received from a hand tracking device. Thereafter, an alert is generated using signals relating to the haptic sensation to the driver for taking one or more corrective measure.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Wipro LimitedInventors: Vivek Kumar Varma Nadimpalli, Gopichand Agnihotram
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Patent number: 11107097Abstract: A system and method for completing trend mapping using similarity scoring that include receiving data associated with a vehicle and an occupant of the vehicle. The system and method also include analyzing the data associated with the vehicle and the occupant to determine at least one of: vehicle dynamic data, vehicle utilization data, and occupant demographic data. The system and method additionally include determining a center of gravity value of at least one of: the vehicle dynamic data, the vehicle utilization data, and the occupant demographic data. The system and method further include calculating a similarity score with respect to the center of gravity value for respective categories of at least one of: the vehicle dynamic data, the vehicle utilization data, and the occupant demographic data.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiyotaka Kawashima
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Patent number: 11108804Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to provide secure inter-vehicle data communications. In some aspects, a method, comprising: receiving, at a security server and from a hardware security processor connected to a system bus of a vehicle, security confidence data of the vehicle, wherein the security confidence data include at least one of version information of a software code executing on a component of the vehicle, diagnostic data information of the vehicle, or data traffic pattern information of the vehicle; determining, at the security server, a security confidence score of the vehicle; receiving, at the security server, a query from a different vehicle; and in response to the query, transmitting the confidence score of the vehicle to the different vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Conrad Delbert Seaman
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Patent number: 11097746Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating a current risk of mismatch between actual driving automation capabilities of a vehicle and driving automation capabilities of the vehicle expected by a driver. The method comprises monitoring at least one physical property of the driver indicative of a gaze direction; determining a first visual attention metric value indicative of a level of visual attention to the road ahead; comparing the first visual attention metric value to a first threshold value; and providing, when the comparison indicates that the current level of visual attention to the road is lower than the first threshold level, a signal indicative of an elevated risk of expectation mismatch.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Emma Tivesten, Mikael Ljung Aust, Trent Victor
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Patent number: 11087405Abstract: A method is disclosed for mitigating the risks associated with driving by assigning risk values to road segments and using those risk values to select less risky travel routes. Various approaches to helping users mitigate risk are presented. A computing device is configured to generate a database of risk values. That device may receive accident information, geographic information, vehicle information, and other information from one or more data sources and calculate a risk value for the associated road segment. Subsequently, the computing device may provide the associated risk value to other devices. Furthermore, a personal navigation device may receive travel route information and use that information to retrieve risk values for the road segments in the travel route. An insurance company may use this information to determine whether to adjust a quote or premium of an insurance policy.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Allstate Insurance CompanyInventors: Jason Brian Bogovich, Julie A. Jordan Peters
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Patent number: 11084494Abstract: A method for detecting safety of a driving behavior, an apparatus, a device and a storage medium are provided. The method includes acquiring current driving data of a vehicle during a driving process of the vehicle; determining current driving behavior feature data of the vehicle according to the current driving data of the vehicle; inputting the current driving behavior feature data of the vehicle into a real-time safety detection model and calculating a security score corresponding to current driving behavior of the vehicle; and determining whether the current driving behavior of the vehicle is safe according to the security score corresponding to the current driving behavior of the vehicle. The method can assist an optimization of a vehicle driving system, reduce a safety risk of vehicle driving, and improve a riding experience of the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Inventors: Yunyan Hu, Ya Wang, Yifeng Pan, Dayang Hao, Rui Liu, Lizhi Zhang, Xiaojun Luo, Yaling Zhang, Ji Tao, Ruixiang Shen, Qihao Huang
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Patent number: 11073063Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system after confirming that specific conditions are met including that an exhaust tuning valve is not degraded. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Allen Lehmen, Douglas Martin, John Rollinger, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Rohit Bhat
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Patent number: 11052770Abstract: A first method of predicting the range of an electric vehicle comprises, determining a range value during a current vehicle operating cycle using a first range model, wherein the first range model is dependent on an energy consumption rate value recorded during a previous vehicle operating cycle. A second method of predicting the range of an electric vehicle comprises, monitoring a trailer detecting means of the vehicle; and determining a first range value if the trailer detecting means detects that a trailer is attached to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Karmjit Grewal, Andrew Burrows
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Patent number: 11047355Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Patent number: 11040715Abstract: An activity monitor for a modular software system, the system having a first software component for use in configuring operation of a second software component via a proxy and stub interface, the activity monitor comprising; an input arranged to monitor a first event associated with the first software component and a second event associated with the proxy; a processor arranged to compare the first and second events to a schedule of events to assess compliance with the schedule of events; and an output arranged to generate an error message in response to non-compliance with the schedule of events, the error message being for use in treating the error. A method of generating an activity monitor for monitoring operation of a modular software system.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Charlotte Kershaw, Christopher Wild, Christophe Fava-Rivi, Francois Loubaresse, Miguel Lopez, Mark Grant
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Patent number: 11042766Abstract: Disclosed herein an artificial intelligence apparatus for determining inattention of a driver including a vibration sensor or a gyro sensor configured to sense movement of a driver's seat of a vehicle, a camera configured to receive image data including a face of a driver, a communication modem configured to receive vehicle status information from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle, and a processor configured to generate movement information of the driver's seat using vibration sensor information received from the vibration sensor or gyro sensor information received from the gyro sensor, generate driver status information corresponding to the driver from the received image data, determine whether the driver is in an inattention status based on the movement information of the driver's seat, the driver status information and the vehicle status information, and output an inattention alarm if the driver is in the inattention status.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Sungsik Kim
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Patent number: 11043126Abstract: A vehicle includes a communication unit, a storage unit, a control unit, and an image capturing unit. The vehicle is configured to be communicable with a different vehicle via the communication unit. The control unit is configured to acquire a captured image from the image capturing unit and store the captured image in the storage unit. The control unit is configured to receive, from the different vehicle that is an oncoming vehicle, a determined result as to whether the different vehicle is able to pass. The control unit is configured to determine whether the vehicle is able to pass based on a width of the vehicle and an available road width ahead, determined from the captured image.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideo Hasegawa, Keiko Kameda, Misa Ejiri, Shintaro Naruse, Tadahiro Kashiwai, Naoya Oka, Kensuke Koike, Hiroyuki Monji
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Patent number: 11027623Abstract: Provided is a system and the like which further improves the user-friendliness of checking the amount of energy charge (e.g., amount of refuelling) for a mobile body (e.g., a vehicle) by effectively utilizing a function of a mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone). A present amount of refuelling ?Fa(i) (present amount of energy charge) is estimated based on a deviation ?D(i) and a fuel consumption Fe(i) (travel efficiency) when the deviation ?D(i) of a present drivable distance D(i) from a last drivable distance D(i?1) of a vehicle X becomes a threshold ?Dth (>0) or higher. Accordingly, without the inconvenience that the user of the vehicle X inputs the fuelling amount into a mobile terminal 2 every time of refuel to the vehicle X, the estimation result of the fuelling amount can be automatically accumulated.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuji Takeuchi, Koji Sengoku
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Patent number: 11015560Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Patent number: 11014578Abstract: A device receives location data that identifies geographic locations of a vehicle at corresponding times, and speed data that identifies respective speeds of the vehicle at the set of corresponding times. The device identifies, based on the location data, speed limit data that identifies respective speed limits at the geographic locations. The device determines, based on the respective speeds and the respective speed limits, a set of respective relative speed values associated with the vehicle. The device identifies respective relative speed values, of the set of respective relative speed values, that exceed a threshold. The device determines, based on the respective relative speed values, a univocal speed indicator that represents an overall degree to which the respective relative speed values exceed the threshold, during a time interval that includes the corresponding times. The device performs a set of actions based on the univocal speed indicator.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: VERIZON CONNECT DEVELOPMENT LIMITEDInventors: Stefano Caprasecca, Tommaso Mugnai
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Patent number: 11008012Abstract: A driving consciousness estimation device includes a driving readiness degree estimation unit configured to estimate a driving readiness degree relating to a driving consciousness of a driver based on a reaction time or a width of field of view of the driver and at least one of a time duration of eye glance away from road environment and an arousal level of the driver. An influence of the reaction time or the width of the field of view on the driving readiness degree estimated by the driving readiness degree estimation unit is greater than an influence of at least one of the time duration of eye glance away from road environment and the arousal level on the driving readiness degree.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Kishi
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Patent number: 11004277Abstract: A computing device is connected to a motor vehicle's diagnostic port or communication port to acquire vehicle sensor data, for example from various pressure, temperature, oxygen, fuel and other sensors typically installed on a motor vehicle for other reasons. Acquired sensor data is wirelessly transmitted to a remote server where the acquired sensor data can be compared to a database of stored sensor data to identify the motor vehicle. Additional functionality is described that leverages uploaded sensor data. Sensor data may be uploaded to the server in near-real time, and/or buffered locally and uploaded by periodic or episodic, push or pull communication protocols.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: AIRBIQUITY INC.Inventors: Darrin L. Garrett, Darren Mann
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Patent number: 10993647Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus of drowsiness detection for vehicle control. For example, a vehicle includes: a camera configured to face a driver of the vehicle and generate a sequence of images of the driver driving the vehicle; an artificial neural network configured to analyze the sequence of images and classify, based on the sequence of images, whether the driver is in a drowsy state; and an infotainment system configured to provide instructions to the driver in response to a classification by the artificial neural network that the driver is in the drowsy state.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Poorna Kale, Robert Richard Noel Bielby
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Travel control apparatus, travel control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
Patent number: 10994744Abstract: A travel control apparatus for controlling travel of a vehicle, comprises: an acquisition unit configured to acquire external information using one of a first camera and a second camera; a specifying unit configured to specify a position of the vehicle; and a travel control unit configured to control the travel of the vehicle based on the external information acquired by the acquisition unit and the position of the vehicle specified by the specifying unit. If the acquisition unit acquires the external information using the second camera instead of the first camera, the travel control unit controls the travel of the vehicle so that participation of a driver in driving is higher than in a case in which the acquisition unit acquires the external information using the first camera.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tadahiko Kanoh, Hiroaki Horii -
Patent number: 10994724Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus includes an actuator and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine whether a driver of a vehicle is in an abnormal state where the driver loses an ability of driving the vehicle. The electronic control unit is also configured to stop the vehicle at an abnormality determination time point onward, and control a vehicle speed by using the actuator such that the vehicle speed does not become lower than a lower limit vehicle speed in a period from the abnormality determination time point to a time point when the vehicle is stopped. The lower limit vehicle speed is set in accordance with a road shape influencing timing when a driver of another vehicle traveling behind the vehicle visually recognizes the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi Matsumura, Hirotada Otake
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Patent number: 10994739Abstract: Force-detecting sensors are installed in a motorcycle's handlebars, footpegs and seat to detect the rider's grip, weight and weight distribution. A control unit interprets the signals from the sensors to determine an attribute of the rider or an intention of the rider to make a manoeuvre. Signals from environmental sensors are used by the control unit to determine whether the intended manoeuvre would endanger the rider, and, if so, the rider is alerted before the manoeuvre is undertaken. The alert is provided before the rider notices the hazard, or before the rider reacts to the hazard. By giving advance warning, of as little as a fraction of a second, a rider is given extra time to avert a potential accident. The control unit also controls settings of the motorcycle during a hazardous state of the motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Damon Motors Ltd.Inventors: Damon Jay Giraud, Dominique Kwong
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Patent number: 10996672Abstract: A driving control apparatus for a vehicle is provided with an environmental condition estimating part including: a surrounding recognizing function that recognizes the vehicle's driving lane; and another vehicle driving on the driving lane; and a function that obtains the vehicle's moving state, a path generating part that generates a target path based on information obtained by the environmental condition estimating part, and a vehicle control part that performs speed control and steering control for causing the vehicle to follow the target path, and configured to be capable of executing an ACC function that performs a constant speed drive or a following drive, an LKA function that keeps the driving within the vehicle's driving lane, an override function that stops the ACC function by operation intervention of a driver, and a function that performs fallback control of the ACC function, the apparatus being configured to alter an ACC override threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Inventor: Katsuhiko Sato
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Patent number: 10984613Abstract: A method for estimating the travel time of a vehicle based on the determination of the state of the vehicle is described, including the recognition of a start-up event as a result of determining a transition from an inactive engine state or vehicle-at-rest state to an active engine state or running vehicle state; the recognition of an end of travel event as a result of the determination of a transition from an active engine state or vehicle running state to an inactive engine state or vehicle-at-rest state; the calculation of the travel time according to the time elapsed between the start of travel and the end of travel, wherein the two transitions are determined if, when running, it is determined that the active engine state or running vehicle state, respectively the inactive engine state or the vehicle-at rest state, is maintained unchanged for a predetermined hysteresis time interval.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: OCTO TELEMATICS S.P.A.Inventor: Massimo Capozza
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Patent number: 10976993Abstract: Audio control system and audio control method that can appropriately control sound volume of an audio part while preventing inaccurate determination regarding condition of a passenger are provided. An audio control system includes an audio part installed in a compartment of a vehicle, a photographing part that photographs the compartment from a front side reference position in the compartment and obtains a photographed image also representing distance to an object within a photographing range in the compartment, a determination part that determines, based on the photographed image obtained by the photographing part, at least one of whether or not a passenger other than a driver in the vehicle is asleep and whether or not the passenger is making a call on a mobile phone, and a control part that turns down sound volume of the audio part if the determination part determined the passenger is asleep or making a call.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventor: Ryo Hiramatsu
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Patent number: 10977488Abstract: Included are: a calibration information acquiring unit for acquiring three-dimensional coordinates for at least one gaze target for calibration, the three-dimensional coordinates indicating a position of each gaze target for calibration; a sample acquiring unit for acquiring multiple samples indicating a line-of-sight direction of a user; a calibration model generating unit for generating multiple calibration models indicating three-dimensional coordinates that are candidates for a position of the user on the basis of the three-dimensional coordinates indicating a position of each of the gaze targets for calibration and the samples indicating the line-of-sight direction of the user gazing at each of the gaze targets for calibration; and a calibration parameter calculating unit for calculating calibration parameters on the basis of the generated calibration models.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Takahisa Hirata
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Patent number: 10967972Abstract: A vehicular alert system includes an autonomous aerial vehicle and a central computer. The autonomous aerial vehicle includes a processor, a display, and a detector. The processor controls a data transceiver. The detector detects one or more vehicular condition. The central computer communicates with the autonomous aerial vehicle via the data transceiver. The central computer includes a memory device. The memory device stores vehicular condition data and road condition data. The central computer communicates one of a vehicular condition or a road condition to the autonomous aerial vehicle. The processor of the autonomous aerial vehicle displays the received condition on the display.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ashish Kundu, Clifford A. Pickover, James R. Kozloski, Justin D. Weisz, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 10963967Abstract: A computer system and method for associating hand placement on a vehicle steering wheel with a driving behavior is described. A sensor system is disposed on the steering wheel configured to detect contact of driver hands upon the steering wheel. A computer processor is coupled to the sensor system to receive and analyze data indicative of hand placement on the steering wheel to determine hand placement. A transceiver device communicates with the computer processor whereby data indicative of hand placement is transmitted to a computer server device associated with an insurance company providing insurance for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (“USAA”)Inventor: Ann Lafeir
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Patent number: 10956297Abstract: A system board for a computer system includes a management unit set up to collect status information from system components of the computer system, a network interface, and a communication unit set up separately from the management unit, connected to the network interface and containing a software for communication via network, wherein the management unit is set up to transfer collected status information from system components of the computer system to the software within the communication unit, and the software within the communication unit is set up exclusively to incorporate the collected status information into a communication protocol for communication via the network interface within a network.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbHInventors: Timo Bruderek, Jürgen Atzkern, Nils Wittler, Joachim Bub
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Patent number: 10948724Abstract: A transmissive display device includes an image display unit configured to transmit an outside scenery and display an image viewable with the outside scenery, an interference risk region calculation unit configured to calculate an interference risk region where there is a risk of interference between a user of the transmissive display device and a mobile body, a risk level determination unit configured to determine a risk level of the interference, based on a relative positional relationship between the user and the mobile body, and a display control unit configured to display, on the image display unit, an image indicating the interference risk region in a display mode according to the determined risk level.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Yutaka Fujimaki, Masahide Takano
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Patent number: 10948468Abstract: A breath alcohol device calibration system includes a computerized calibration module operable to calibrate a breath alcohol device, and an interface operable to couple the breath alcohol device to a remote server. The interface uses a connection employing a cryptographic function such that data stored on the breath alcohol device can be securely transferred from the breath alcohol device to the remote server using the calibration system. The interface is further operable to transfer data stored on the breath alcohol device from the breath alcohol device to the remote server directly without storing the data in nonvolatile storage on the calibration station.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Consumer Safety Technology, LLCInventors: Douglas Edward DeVries, Scott Ruland