By Satellite Positioning System (e.g., Gps, Etc.) Patents (Class 701/32.4)
  • Patent number: 9015386
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to testing of connected vehicle systems. The connections involved are sometimes referred to as Car-2-Car (C2C), Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Car-2-Infrastructure (C2I), or Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I). More generically, the connections are referred to as C2X and V2X. The technology disclosed provides an over the wire simulation of signals that a system will receive in operation, which allows testing of algorithms, breadboards, prototypes and complete systems. The system simulates the position of multiple on board units as the move with the vehicles that carry them. It attenuates signals between the OBUs and can attenuate signals among the OBUs and other test components, including roadside units and synthetic OBUs. The simulation is can be practiced as a method, a device, or computer readable medium that causes a device to practice the method or that, when combined with appropriate hardware, produces the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter George Boulton, John Pottle
  • Patent number: 9014918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring health of one or more subsystems of a vehicle system are disclosed. At least one sensor can be operatively coupled to a vehicle subsystem having an operational signature and a control system is coupled to the at least one sensor. Using information provided by the at least one sensor, the control system is structured to generate a reference signature of the subsystem during a learning phase and an operational signature of the subsystem subsequent to the learning phase. Systems and methods for identifying the particular subsystem exhibiting degraded performance are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Hagen, Richard S. Fox, Nkemjika Ibekwe, Malcolm L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150105969
    Abstract: A method for detecting evaporative emissions system leaks, comprising: adjusting a leak detection threshold based on a vehicle geographical location including jurisdiction borders; and indicating a leak based on the adjusted threshold. In this way, a vehicle may perform OBD EVAP leak tests in accordance with local regulations. This method allows for a single PCM to be installed in all vehicles of a certain model during manufacturing regardless of the jurisdiction where the vehicle will be sold, thereby reducing part complexity and simplifying the manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Publication number: 20150100199
    Abstract: A fault diagnostic system of a vehicle includes: a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a diagnostic module. The GPS receiver determines a location of the vehicle. The diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in a component of the vehicle. In response to the diagnosis of the fault, the diagnostic module stores diagnostic data in a computer readable medium. The diagnostic data includes both a predetermined diagnostic trouble code associated with the fault diagnosed and the location of the vehicle when the fault was diagnosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: JEANETTE C. KURNIK, DANIEL P. GRENN
  • Patent number: 8996210
    Abstract: A vessel monitoring and control system. Data indicative of operational conditions for vessel systems is transmitted from the vessel to one or more remote sites and commands are received from the one or more remote sites for controlling the vessel systems. Multiple transmitting and receiving components are available on the vessel for communicating with a variety of different communications systems at the remote sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sea-Watch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Loretta Kish, Lamar McBryde
  • Patent number: 8997121
    Abstract: A method of providing position support to a main processor of a computing device is disclosed. The method may include receiving primary position data from a sensor at a sensor controller. The method may also include analyzing, via the sensor controller, the primary position data to determine secondary position data. The method may also include formatting, via the sensor controller, the secondary position data. The method may also include aggregating, via the sensor controller, the formatted position data. The method may also include providing, via a single channel interface between the sensor controller and the main processor, the aggregated position data to an operating system installed on the main processor. The method may also include communicating, via a driver installed on the operating system, the position data to an application installed on the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Trethewey, Moulishankar Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 8989955
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for vehicle control, tracking, and reporting. In an aspect, vehicle parameters that describe the current operation of the vehicle are compared to profile parameters of a driver. If the vehicle parameters are not within the operational limits defined by the profile parameters, an out of profile parameter process is performed. The out of profile parameter process includes wirelessly sending a violation report to an administrator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20150081162
    Abstract: A computer system and method for storing and processing GPS data for a plurality of drivers and vehicles to provide a visual representation of driver's activity for fleets of driver and vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: FLEETMATICS IRL LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Mitchell, Kyle Erlenbach
  • Patent number: 8983657
    Abstract: A system and a method of managing one or more vehicles deployed in a worksite are provided. The system includes a battery management module which may receive, via a data network, battery health information and/or location co-ordinates from at least one vehicle. The battery management module is configured to issue a battery changing command, via the data network, to a battery-changing device based at least on the battery health information and the location co-ordinates of the vehicles. The battery-changing device may be configured to change at least one battery on the at least one vehicle with charged batteries based on the issued command. The battery-changing device is configured to return each of the changed battery to a central station to recharge the changed battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Evan E. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8977423
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing. In an example, the computing device may be configured to receive vehicle information including identification information of a vehicle and/or information describing condition of the vehicle. The computing device also may be configured to match the vehicle information to content of a vehicle repair database so as to identify repair information relating to the vehicle. The computing device further may be configured to receive geographic information identifying a geographic location relating to the vehicle. The computing device also may be configured to provide, to a communication network, a subset of the identified repair information based on the geographic information. The service advisor may be able to access the subset of the identified repair information on a display device coupled to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, R. Steven Brozovich
  • Patent number: 8972103
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle mapping system is disclosed. The mapping system includes an on-vehicle electronic storage device, a GPS receiver, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to receive GPS data from the GPS receiver indicative of a current location of the vehicle. The electronic controller is also configured to store the GPS data on the electronic storage device if the location of the vehicle is outside of a location envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane S. Elwart, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Patent number: 8972102
    Abstract: A golf ball tracking system comprising at least one golf ball including an RFID device, wherein the RFID device contains golf ball information, such as a unique identifier. The system includes an RFID reader capable of reading the golf ball information from the RFID device. A positioning system, such as GPS, is associated with the reader and is capable of determining the location of the reader. A computer is interconnected with the RFID reader and the positioning system that is capable of receiving the golf ball information from the reader and location information from the positioning system. The computer is operative to record the golf ball information and associated location information. The system may further comprise a plurality of readers separated by at least one blocker that is made of metal screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Kinch Robert Reindl
  • Patent number: 8965627
    Abstract: A server that delivers a control program for an on-vehicle apparatus detects a distance between a vehicle and a user of the vehicle, and instructs the on-vehicle apparatus to update the control program by use of an update program when the detected distance is equal to or longer than a prescribed distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Masahiko Murakami
  • Patent number: 8938357
    Abstract: The characteristic point detection system of this invention includes: a staying area detection unit 1003 which performs clustering based on distribution of data points contained in GPS log data of a user, determines an index showing a staying time of the user in a cluster based on a number of data points contained in each cluster, extracts one or more clusters based on the index, and forms a staying area of the user based on the extracted clusters, wherewith a cluster is extracted with higher probability as the staying time is longer; a representative point extraction unit 1004 which extracts, one at a time, a representative point of the staying area from each of the extracted staying areas, and determines a score of each of the representative points based on density of the data points in each of the staying areas; and an output unit 1005 which outputs a list ranking each of the representative points based on the score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuharu Kami
  • Publication number: 20140379205
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for detecting vehicle efficiency and recognizing a vehicle defect. A vehicle operating parameter may be measured and recorded at a specific vehicle location. The measurement may be compared to prior measurements of the same operating parameter at the same location previously recorded for the same vehicle or a comparable vehicle. A vehicle defect may be detected where the measurement shows a statistical deviation from previous measurements. The vehicle's operator, owner, lessee, or lessor may be notified of the defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
  • Patent number: 8914196
    Abstract: Electronic crash sensor system for a vehicle including at least one inertial measurement device arranged on the vehicle to measure an inertial property of the vehicle, a processor that incorporates or executes a crash sensing algorithm that determines whether the vehicle is sensing a crash based on the inertial property measured by each inertial measurement device and a positioning system arranged on the vehicle to provide its position. The inertial property measured by each inertial measurement device is modified based on the position and then provided to the crash sensing algorithm such that the crash sensing algorithm determines whether the vehicle is sensing a crash based on the modified inertial property measured by each inertial measurement device. Self-testing of each inertial measurement device is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Breed, Olexander Leonets
  • Patent number: 8868289
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector to an on board diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle, wireless communications circuitry, a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the ignition state of the vehicle, and upon detecting an ignition off state, reporting at least the off state to a network-enabled communications appliance wirelessly paired for wireless communication with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Automatic Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ljubinko Miljkovic, David Theron Palmer, Ramprabhu Jayaraman
  • Publication number: 20140303834
    Abstract: A sectional control apparatus and method prompts the operator of an implement when the implement, or portion thereof, is traversing over land that has already been seeded and/or disturbed. The apparatus includes a GPS or GNSS receiver that communicates with a GPS or GNSS system and a controller that maps movement of the implement so that real-time positional data for the implement can be compared to the movement map. When the position of the implement, or portion thereof, is detected as moving over previously seeded and/or disturbed land, the controller activates an alert mechanism in the operator cab of the implement to notify the operator that sectional control, i.e., shutting down metering of product or raising the tool bar, needs to be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Trevor Kowalchuk
  • Patent number: 8849503
    Abstract: A method for detecting leakage within an Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) of a vehicle continuously obtains the weather information and the weather forecast for the geographical location that the vehicle is currently in. Based on the weather information, an average time required for the fuel within the fuel-tank of the vehicle to cool off to a pre-determined temperature is calculated. The powertrain control module of the vehicle is activated at a specific instant, based on the average time, to perform the leakage detection within the EVAP system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 8849496
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing road service to an operator of a vehicle are provided. Such systems and methods presuppose a navigation system of the vehicle is set to route the vehicle to a destination. A road service request from the vehicle is received and a waypoint along the route to the destination is calculated. The navigation system is remotely set to route the vehicle to the waypoint and road service at the waypoint is ordered. The road service includes swapping the vehicle with a new vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Miyamoto, David S. DeWitt, Ryan Douglas Roy Harty, Robert M. Uyeki
  • Patent number: 8849505
    Abstract: Methods and systems for locating a vehicle are disclosed, including detecting one or more environmental conditions, the one or more environmental conditions being indicative of an occurrence of an environmental event, determining a probability of the occurrence of the environmental event in response to detecting the one or more environmental conditions, and effecting a preventive action in response to the probability being above a threshold probability, the preventive action being configured to protect the vehicle from the environmental event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Menard, Gabriel Castillo
  • Publication number: 20140288765
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle mapping system is disclosed. The mapping system includes an on-vehicle electronic storage device, a GPS receiver, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to receive GPS data from the GPS receiver indicative of a current location of the vehicle. The electronic controller is also configured to store the GPS data on the electronic storage device if the location of the vehicle is outside of a location envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shane S. Elwart, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20140288766
    Abstract: A monitoring unit for vehicle monitoring comprising a receiving module configured to receive data from an OBD, wherein the data is associated with a plurality of jerks detected by a 3-axis accelerometer. The monitoring unit comprises an analytics module configured to compare an intensity of each jerk of the plurality of jerks to a predefined jerk threshold and capture high intensity jerks from the plurality of jerks. The high intensity jerks have intensity equal to or more than the predefined jerk threshold. The method further comprises determining an elapsed time for each of the high intensity jerks. The elapsed time for each of the high intensity jerks is compared to a predefined time threshold. Further it is determined whether an analysis on the high intensity jerks is to be performed at the vehicle or at a server located remotely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Tapas Chakravarty, Avik Ghose, Balamuralidhar Purushothaman, Arpan Pal, Arijit Chowdhary
  • Publication number: 20140277919
    Abstract: A method for providing vehicle configurations, the providing of at least one vehicle configuration is a function of a local position of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Nikolas LENTZ
  • Publication number: 20140244101
    Abstract: A system provides stress and/or accumulated damage monitoring on earth moving equipment, such as excavators, trucks, electric rope shovels and drills, hydraulic shovels, wheel loaders and graders. The system includes: strain gauges (51-60), each gauging strain at one of multiple strain gauge locations; a data acquisition unit (41) to acquire real-time strain data from the strain gauges (51-60); a processor and memory (42) to process the acquired real-time strain data to calculate one or more measures of actual accumulated damage and/or actual instantaneous stress; and at least one output device (37) to provide information comparing the measures with corresponding reference values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Gerard Bernard Chitty, Lasha Biyanga Aponso
  • Patent number: 8798850
    Abstract: A method and a measurement system are specified for localizing at least one wheel on a motor vehicle. In this case the operating situation of the motor vehicle and the wheel load of the at least one wheel and/or a variable dependent on this is determined. Then the at least one measured value of the wheel load is compared with a value assigned to the operating situation. As an alternative or in addition, the comparison of at least one parameter dependent on at least two measured values can be undertaken with at least one of the parameters assigned to this operating situation. Finally the point on the motor vehicle at which the wheel is mounted is determined on the basis of the comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8788187
    Abstract: A method and system for providing taxiway navigational information to a crewmember of an airplane taxiing at an airport. An airport taxiway navigation system (“ATNS”) that executes on an onboard computer system that displays a map of the taxiways of an airport, receives the name of each taxiway of the taxi route specified by the taxi clearance, and highlights the taxiways on a displayed map to provide a visual indication of the cleared taxi route for the crewmembers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Reagan Doose, Richard W. Ellerbrock, Glade L. Hulet, John M. Jauglias, Matthew T. Majka
  • Patent number: 8781740
    Abstract: A storing unit stores traveling history information items on a vehicle, the traveling history information items being respectively associated with trips each being a segment from a start of a driving operation to an end of the driving operation. A determination unit determines whether to assign one of the traveling history information items, which is stored in the storing unit and associated with one trip, to a predetermined period, the one trip being partially included in the predetermined period. A driving operation diagnostic unit diagnoses a driving operation of a driver in the predetermined period according to the traveling history information item determined by the determination unit to be assigned to the predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daiki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8775015
    Abstract: A vehicle collision event announcing system is provided. The system includes: a processor; an image capturing unit, coupled to the processor, for capturing vehicle images from at least a part of the vehicle; a collision sensing unit, for detecting whether the vehicle is running into a probable collision event; and a feature image comparison unit, coupled to the processor, for when the collision sensing unit detects the probable collision event, comparing the vehicle images before and after the probable collision event to determine whether the probable collision event is a real collision event which causes damage to the vehicle and/or the seriousness of the damage of the real collision event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventor: Kaung-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 8768617
    Abstract: The invention described herein relates to aiding a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) receiver of a platform with a data interface to the platform data. The platform, for example, could be a vehicle, ship, aircraft, or a pedestrian. The SPS receiver would be used to track the location of the platform. The data interface would facilitate access by the SPS receiver to the data of the platform, and the SPS receiver in turn could provide SPS data (such as position, speed, and heading) to the platform. A further aspect of the invention includes hardware or software used by the data interface and the SPS receiver to provide, format, time-stamp, synchronize, and match platform data or SPS receiver data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime B. Colley, Lars Boeryd
  • Patent number: 8768565
    Abstract: A rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle access and management system and method, in some embodiments, utilizes barcodes, QR codes (or NFC/RFID), GPS, and a mobile app coupled with a wireless network to enable customers to bypass the reservation desk and pickup and drop off reserved RCS vehicles using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The QR code, RFID, or NFC communication with the mobile application allows for identification of the vehicle by a mobile application, which, if authorized, can access the vehicle via a temporary access code issued by remote servers. The remote servers and/or mobile application communicates with a control module that plugs into the on-board diagnostics module of the rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle and includes a host processing unit with a processor, an accelerometer, data storage, a GPS with internal GPS antenna; a wireless modem with internal antenna, and CAN bus transceivers connected with the processor, and a USB programmable interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Jefferies, Rod W. DeMay, Gurgen L. Lachinyan
  • Publication number: 20140156166
    Abstract: An operations support system is provided for an engine. The system includes a diagnostics module configured to receive engine data from the engine and to generate diagnostics data based on the engine data using a thermodynamic model, the thermodynamic model being based on component maps associated with the engine; an acoustics module coupled to the diagnostics module and comprising an acoustics calculation unit, the acoustics calculation unit configured to receive the diagnostics data and to determine an acoustics level for the engine based on the diagnostics data; and a graphical user interface coupled to the acoustics module and configured to display the acoustics level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Moeckly, Richard Ling, Chuck Royalty
  • Patent number: 8744669
    Abstract: A system for providing an indication of the amount fuel dispensed by a fuel dispenser. The system includes a sensor which communicates fuel data to a data storage device to store the fuel data. The fuel data includes the amount of fuel flowing through a filler neck and the total amount of fuel dispensed. A first communication device, such as a smartphone, accesses the data storage device to transfer the fuel data to a server, such that the server stores the fuel data, allowing a second communication device to access the server and obtain the fuel data. The data storage device also receives location information from a GPS module corresponding to the location of where the fuel data is obtained. The system allows users to access the server and locate service stations having the most accurate displays and charge the correct amount of money for the amount of fuel dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Luis Roberto Togo Peraza
  • Publication number: 20140149004
    Abstract: A mobile construction device sensor unit comprises a point-to-point radio ranging system and a position determining component. The point-to-point radio ranging system is configured to couple with a mobile construction device. The position determining component is coupled with the point-to-point radio ranging system and is configured for determining a position of the sensor unit in at least two dimensions based on communications between the point-to-point radio ranging system and a plurality of tags respectively located at a plurality of knowable locations within an operating environment of the mobile construction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Gregory C. Best, Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 8736633
    Abstract: A method and system is described for enhancing ground situational awareness to an aircrew via the display of an airport moving map within an own-ship, including determining the position of the own-ship and an aircraft on one of a taxiway, a runway, or an apron, displaying each of the own-ship and the aircraft on an airport moving map by displaying for each a first symbol that indicates the location on the airport moving map; and displaying a second symbol that changes in transparency in proportion to the range of the airport moving map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Saravanakumar Gurusamy
  • Patent number: 8731768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed herein to determine an insurance premium discount based on telematics data. The system includes a computer memory and a processor in communication with the computer memory. The computer memory stores data indicative telematics data received from a sensor within a vehicle, including at least one of geo-position information of the vehicle and vehicle kinematics data. The processor is configured to identify safety events and associated safety event locations based on the telematics data. The processor is further configured to display to the driver indications of the safety events on a map display along with indications of safety events associated with other drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Fernandes, Steven R. Feero
  • Patent number: 8731110
    Abstract: A GPS receiver includes an RF section and a digital section, the digital section including a correlator circuit for performing correlation with respect to a plurality of satellite channels. The GPS receiver is operated by cycling power to the RF section on and off according to a determined duty cycle having an ON portion and an OFF portion. During the ON portion, navigation related data received from the plurality of satellite channels is sampled by higher level software. Continuity of function may be achieved by resetting a state of at least a portion of the correlator circuit in correspondence to a transition from the OFF portion to the ON portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hao Zhou, Aku-Matti T. Levola
  • Publication number: 20140088801
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of monitoring the performance of a wheel brake for a wheel on a train car. The method may include detecting a first temperature of the wheel with the wheel brake deactivated. The method may also include activating the wheel brake and detecting a second temperature of the wheel with the wheel brake activated. The method may include determining a wheel brake condition based on at least the first and second temperatures of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventor: MARK JOSEPH BARTONEK
  • Patent number: 8669856
    Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a digital speedometer display to match an analog speedometer indicated value. The method generally includes calibrating each analog speedometer unit such that the exact deviation or “offset” from the center point of the analog speedometer is known. This measured deviation is then used to adjust the value input to the digital display thereby making the digital display value match the indicated value of the analog speedometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tony Wang, Natarajan S. Manakkal
  • Patent number: 8670897
    Abstract: An in-vehicle mobile communication and routing apparatus for use with a taxi cab, public safety vehicle, delivery truck, fire truck, emergency vehicle, or any vehicle. Embodiments of the invention include a system incorporating the apparatus and a method for using the same. The mobile apparatus is attachable to a vehicle and includes a plurality of long-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, and a plurality of short-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more devices external to the mobile apparatus and proximally located to the vehicle. An intelligent power supply is structured to monitor a battery condition of the vehicle and initiate a controlled shutdown of the mobile apparatus responsive to at least one of a timer countdown and a voltage threshold of a vehicle battery. Devices external to the mobile apparatus communicate with an in-vehicle processor and one or more remote databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Feeney Wireless, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Ralson
  • Publication number: 20140067195
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and transmitting on-board diagnostics (OBD) signals are provided. An electronic device includes a housing, an OBD engagement member configured to physically engage with an OBD port of an (FHV) and receive power and data communications therefrom. Computer circuitry disposed at least partially within the housing is configured to receive time, location, and/or distance information associated with a trip taken by the FHV, the information being received through the OBD port of the FHV. The computer circuitry is further configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more computing devices disposed within the FHV over a local area network when the on-board diagnostics device is connected to the OBD port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FRIAS TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan James, James Alan Wisniewski, Leocadio Dominquez Samson
  • Patent number: 8666591
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is assistance, safety and navigation technology for vehicles. In particular, the disclosure relates to a vehicle system and a method for controlling the vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Ulrich Stählin, Thomas Grotendorst, Robert Gee
  • Patent number: 8639398
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically generating satellite operation procedure (SOP) parameters is provided. The apparatus includes a parameter extraction unit configured to extract one or more SOP parameters corresponding to an SOP; a transformation formula extraction unit configured to extract a transformation formula corresponding to the extracted SOP parameters; and a calculation unit configured to calculate values of the extracted SOP parameters based on property information for performing a satellite task and the extracted transformation formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: In-Jun Kim, Byoung-Sun Lee, Jae-Hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20140025252
    Abstract: A vehicle collision event announcing system is provided. The system includes: a processor; an image capturing unit, coupled to the processor, for capturing vehicle images from at least a part of the vehicle; a collision sensing unit, for detecting whether the vehicle is running into a probable collision event; and a feature image comparison unit, coupled to the processor, for when the collision sensing unit detects the probable collision event, comparing the vehicle images before and after the probable collision event to determine whether the probable collision event is a real collision event which causes damage to the vehicle and/or the seriousness of the damage of the real collision event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventor: Kaung-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 8630764
    Abstract: A vehicle telematics system repeatedly reports vehicle status, including the location of a stolen vehicle. As wireless reports are transmitted over time, battery capacity will decrease if the engine is not running. As the vehicle battery capacity decreases over time, status reports are adjusted to extend battery life and therefore the time over which at least some vehicle status information can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Continential Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Harsha M. Dabholkar
  • Publication number: 20130335233
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects, a portable device tracking system can comprise a sensor device operatively coupled to a mobile object. The sensor device can comprises a microcontroller, a sensing unit coupled to the microcontroller, the sensing unit comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to receive geographical data, and a transceiver coupled to the microcontroller. The portable device tracking system can also comprise a data manager configured to receive the geographical data from the sensor device. The sensor device can transmit data to the data manager across a network using a variety of communication protocols. Further, the portable device tracking system can be used to various applications, such as tracking an asset, a living object, a vehicle, or a medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony Kamar, Kareem Mortada
  • Patent number: 8611930
    Abstract: Promotional or informational materials are selected for presentation to mobile device users based at least in part on knowledge about where those users intend to go. If a user performs a points-of-interest search that evinces a particular intent, then the mobile device can select informational materials that are associated with that particular intent, and then display those informational materials. The informational materials selected can be limited to those that are mapped to a point of interest that the searching user selected from a list of points of interest that are relevant to the user's specified intent. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device might display only the informational materials that are mapped to a particular point of interest in response to detecting that the user has entered within a specified proximity of that particular point of interest, as determined through a global positioning system of the user's mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain Louboutin, Gregg Golembeski, Jr., Daniel de Rocha Rosario, Robert J. Walsh
  • Patent number: 8560157
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for automated control of a moving vehicle. An alarm condition is detected, and in response to the alarm condition, the current radius of curvature of the vehicle is maintained. The radius of curvature may be calculated by using data received from sensors. The alarm condition may be a result of the vehicle becoming unstable or the automated navigation system malfunctioning. In response to operator control input, the vehicle is placed into a manual control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon Joseph Brabec
  • Patent number: 8554386
    Abstract: Techniques for providing localized power infrastructure and data infrastructure are disclosed. A transportable system for providing localized power infrastructure and data infrastructure can include: a data network service engine configured to function as a local data network service provider; a power generation engine configured to function as a local power service provider that generates and distributes power locally; a deployment engine configured to assist in deploying one or more components of the transportable system; and a maintenance engine configured to maintain operation and security of the transportable system. In some embodiments, multiple transportable systems can be deployed and then centrally monitored or controlled as a single, utility system and/or a single data delivery infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Serge Rutman
  • Publication number: 20130261880
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image from a vehicle using On Board Diagnostic (OBD) information are provided. A vehicle state information acquirer receives state information about a devices loaded on the vehicle and an OBD terminal provided in the vehicle. A sensor unit senses movement of the vehicle. An image input unit captures images related to vehicle driving. A controller senses a value that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold received from the sensor unit or receives vehicle state information related to an occurrence of an event is received from the OBD terminal, starts capturing the images through the image input unit, and controls storing of the captured images with the vehicle state information. A memory that stores the captured images with the vehicle state information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Wook CHO, Young-Chool Kim