Calibration Patents (Class 701/33.1)
  • Patent number: 12140101
    Abstract: A method for recalibrating an engine includes querying an engine for a unique engine identifier, sending the unique engine identifier to a cloud-based server, determining one or more engine calibration settings available to the engine based on the unique engine identifier sent to the cloud-based server, presenting the one or more engine calibration settings to a user through a user interface so that the user may select a desired engine calibration setting, sending the desired engine calibration setting as selected by the user to an electronic control unit of the engine, and replacing a current engine calibration with the desired engine calibration setting in the electronic control unit of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Braun, Brian Todd Brunelli, Darren E. Cavness, Mario Divis, Brett William Jury, Mark Noller, John A. Piechowski
  • Patent number: 11981424
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of an aircraft landing gear shock absorber, the shock absorber including at least one spring chamber containing a gas, the method comprising taking a plurality of measurements of the gas pressure and temperature, each gas pressure and temperature measurement pair being taken of at the same instant relative to an operating cycle of the shock absorber; calculating, based on each pair of gas pressure and temperature measurements, a first value; storing the first value in a log; determining a value trend based on the log; and in response to determining that the value trend is outside a first range of values, generating a first notification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignees: Safran Landing Systems, Safran Landing Systems UK Ltd.
    Inventors: Antoine Guidoux, Jon Smith, Jean-Yves Ravel, Yann Simmonneaux
  • Patent number: 11898873
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating multiple inertial measurement units on a system include calibrating a first of the inertial measurement units relative to the system using a first calibration model, and calibrating the remaining inertial measurement unit(s) relative to the first inertial measurement unit using a second calibration model. The calibration of the remaining inertial measurement unit(s) to the first inertial measurement unit can be based on a rigid body model by aligning a rotational velocity of the first inertial measurement unit with a rotational velocity of the remaining inertial measurement unit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ZOOX, INC.
    Inventors: Siddharth Ratapani Navin, Derek Adams, Michael Carsten Bosse, Aleksandrs Ecins
  • Patent number: 11795888
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a method for calculating a data envelope while calibrating a technical system. In some specific embodiments, the d-dimensional calibration space, which comprises the calibration variables required for the calibration, is divided into a first sub-calibration space having a dimension dsub<d and at least one further sub-calibration space, and a dsub-dimensional data envelope is calculated at least for the first sub-calibration space using available data points and is checked during the calibration as an auxiliary condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Rainer, Nico Didcock
  • Patent number: 11781932
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system uses a two-dimensional polar plot to analyze imbalance of components. On the two-dimensional polar plot imbalance magnitude and orientation are depicted relative to a reference. Some embodiments use the two-dimensional polar plot to assess measurement error for measurement devices and components. Some embodiments use the two-dimensional polar plot to determine patterns associated with processing operations to identify sources of imbalance from the manufacturing process. Some embodiments use the two-dimensional polar plot to determine correlations between processing operations to identify sources of imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Shainin II LLC
    Inventor: John Abrahamian
  • Patent number: 11687394
    Abstract: A method for testing, in situ and in operation, a reset device for resetting a computer, including an execution sequence and a verification sequence, the execution sequence being executed during the running of the piece of software and including the following steps: incrementing a test counter, storing the test counter in a non-volatile memory, triggering a reset of the computer, the verification sequence being executed when starting the piece of software and including the following steps: reading the test counter from the non-volatile memory, comparing the test counter: if it is equal to its initial value increased by 1, resetting the test counter, and the test result is positive; and if it is greater than its initial value increased by 1, the test result is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Boyer, Xavier Guillaume
  • Patent number: 11554618
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system and tire pressure detector setting apparatus for tractor-trailer are disclosed. The tractor-trailer has a tractor and a trailer having a plurality of wheels, respectively. The tire pressure monitoring system includes a plurality of tire pressure detectors and a monitoring device. The tire pressure detectors are disposed on each of the wheels, detecting the tire pressure status of each wheel and generating a tire pressure information. Each tire pressure detector has a wheel code corresponding to one of the wheels, respectively. The monitoring device is disposed on the tractor for receiving the tire pressure information and the wheel codes of the corresponding tire pressure detector. When the tire pressure information and the wheel code are transmitted to the monitoring device, the monitoring device accurately monitors the tire pressure status of each wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: CUB ELECPARTS INC.
    Inventors: San-Chuan Yu, Tzu-Wen Ko, Tsan-Nung Wang, Chi-Hung Chen, Te-Chin Hsu, Wei-Shun Shih
  • Patent number: 11499297
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement includes a positioning arrangement including at least one locator, at least one first spot to be located, at least one second spot to be located, and a position data gathering unit for gathering a first set of at least three different position data measurements of each of the at least one first spot to be located, wherein the different position data measurements are taken in different rotation angles around a first axle, and a second set of at least three different position data measurements of each of the at least one second spot to be located, wherein the different position data measurements are taken in different rotation angles around a second axle. The three dimensional location and orientation of the center axis of the first axle with respect to the center axis of the second axle are determined on the basis of the first and second set of position data measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Novatron Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Vesanen, Tuomas Kovanen
  • Patent number: 11162968
    Abstract: A bicycle speed sensor is provided on a bicycle. The bicycle includes a chain stay, a rear wheel, a brake disk and a positioning member. The rear wheel includes a hub and the brake disk includes a center hole disposed for the hub to pass through. The positioning member passes through the chain stay, the center hole and the hub so that the rear wheel and the brake disk are positioned on the chain stay. The bicycle speed sensor includes a signal transmitter and a signal sensor. The signal transmitter is configured to transmit a signal and disposed on the brake disk. The signal sensor receives the signal from the signal transmitter and is disposed on the chain stay. By fixedly positioning the signal transmitter and the signal sensor at the brake disk and a default position of and the chain stay respectively, displacements of sensor components is prevented to provide reliable sensing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Giant Electric Vehicle Kunshan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Arjen Niels van den Hof
  • Patent number: 10794996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile maintenance and device calibration, and discloses a calibration device of an automobile assistance system, the radar calibration device including a support assembly, a beam assembly, and a sliding member. The beam assembly is mounted to the support assembly and may move relative to the support assembly along a vertical direction. The sliding member is mounted to the beam assembly and may move relative to the beam assembly along a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AUTEL INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Longxue Qiu, Yong Chen, Jin Chen
  • Patent number: 10589763
    Abstract: A method of determining the actual position of a track relative to a fixed point located in a lateral vicinity of the track by using a registering device being mobile on the track includes surveying the position of the fixed point relative to the track. The registering device is moved along the track, image pairs of the lateral vicinity of the track are continuously recorded by a stereo camera system on the registering device and the fixed point is searched for in the image pairs by pattern recognition carried out in an evaluation device. Upon recognition of the fixed point, the position of the fixed point relative to the track is determined by evaluating at least one image pair. This creates the possibility of surveying fixed points in passing with the configuration of the fixed point not being bound to any special form. A measuring system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Martin Buerger, Gerald Zauner
  • Patent number: 10437716
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product. The method includes receiving at a computing device, a Sweeney-Robertson-Tocher (SRT) implementation, and a look-up table (LUT) used by the SRT implementation; obtaining an assertion for the SRT, the assertion associated with at least one entry from the LUT; verifying the assertion by executing a formal verification engine on the SRT implementation. Subject to the assertion failing, the method further provides a counter example for a computation that when performed by the SRT implementation accesses the at least one entry. Further, subject to the assertion holding, the method performs determining that the at least one entry is unreachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Elena Guralnik, Haim Kermany
  • Patent number: 10364552
    Abstract: An excavator calibration framework comprises an excavator, a laser distance meter (LDM), and a laser reflector. The excavator comprises a linkage assembly (LA), implement, and controller. The LA comprises a boom with point B, stick coupled to point B, and four-bar linkage (4BL) including nodes D, F, G, and H (a dogbone linkage between nodes D and F). The laser reflector is disposed at node F. The nodes F, G, and the point B define an outer triangle BGF that defines with node D three inner triangles DGB, DBF, and DFG. The controller executes an iterative process including determining a node F position based on a LDM/laser reflector measurement signal, determining a node D position based on the node F position, and determining a dogbone angle BDF of DBF based on the node D position. The controller generates an actual dogbone angle based on a series of dogbone angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark Nicholas Howell, Samuel Joseph Frei
  • Patent number: 9481984
    Abstract: A calibration device for a work machine includes: a working equipment parameter acquiring unit acquiring working equipment parameters of members of first and second actuation units; a measurement value acquiring unit acquiring respective measurement values of the work machine body and first and second actuation units measured by an external measurement device; a first calibration unit calibrating the parameter related to the member of the first actuation unit acquired by the acquiring unit based on the measurement value of the first actuation unit acquired by the acquiring unit; and a second calibration unit calibrating the working equipment parameter of the member of the second actuation unit based on the working equipment parameter of the first actuation unit calibrated by the first calibration unit and the respective measurement values of the reference points of the work machine body and first and second actuation units acquired by the acquiring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwamura, Jin Kitajima, Masanobu Seki, Masashi Ichihara
  • Patent number: 9310242
    Abstract: A method for determining the load of a motor vehicle includes the following steps: detecting at least one physical measured variable that depends on the load and generating a measured value that represents the detected measured variable; evaluating the generated measured values in order to determine the load by correlating the generated measured values or the load values determined therefrom with each other in order to produce a correction value from the correlation, with the aid of which an actual load value is determined for the load of the motor vehicle. There is also provided a system for detecting the load of a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Kammann, Michael Borsche, Martin Griesser
  • Publication number: 20150149030
    Abstract: An offset correction method for an automobile oil pressure sensor determines whether or not an engine start signal is applied. An offset value of the oil pressure sensor installed on an oil pressure line connected to an oil pump is detected within a first preset period after the start signal is applied. An output value of the oil pressure sensor is corrected after the offset value is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Dong Ho YANG, Joon Young PARK, Sang Joon KIM
  • Patent number: 9020683
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for diagnosing faults in a trailer electrical system generally includes a mode determination module that determines a current operating mode to be one of a sleep mode, a normal mode, a situational awareness mode, and an adaptive calibration mode. A first mode module operates when the current operating mode is the normal mode and during operation, diagnoses an open circuit fault of the trailer electrical system based on a comparison of a current load on the trailer electrical system and an average load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Johnson, Jamie A. Mleczko, Kang Li
  • Publication number: 20150100200
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes an audio source configured to drive at least one audio output and a module under calibration integrated in a vehicle. The module under calibration is configured to receive a calibration command sequence from the audio source and decode the calibration command sequence into a digitally-encoded calibration command. The module under calibration is further configured to select a set of calibration data from a plurality of sets of calibration data to configure the module under calibration based on the digitally-encoded calibration command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ian R. Singer, Frank C. Valeri
  • Patent number: 8977426
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system for determining accelerometer thresholds based upon decoding a vehicle identification number (VIN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Charles Cawse
  • Publication number: 20150066289
    Abstract: Calibration for a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) includes determining a trigger event configured to initiate a check for updates to calibration data files of the ECU, iterating through calibration part numbers present in the ECU, and accessing, from a memory device in communication with the vehicle, in response to the iterating, a chain of parts table in a linked list that maps calibration part numbers identified in the ECU unit to any subsequently-issued calibration part numbers. The subsequently-issued calibration part numbers reflect an index to the updates to the calibration data files. The calibration also includes searching the chain of parts table using the calibration part numbers identified in the ECU to determine a corresponding subsequently-issued calibration part number, selecting one of the updates to the calibration data files using the subsequently-issued calibration part number from the memory device, and updating the ECU with the selected update.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Susanta P. Sarkar, John J. Correia, Robert D. Hoover, Jamison C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8953816
    Abstract: A vehicle audio system senses the availability of a wireless audio device in or near a vehicle, and uses logic circuitry to identify a device-specific record from among many records available in a memory. The identified record contains data codes from the available wireless audio device and from a software application running on the device. Upon identifying the data code record, the system downloads a copy of an alternate software application selected from the memory and configures the alternate software application to process data from the wireless audio device. The system provides a user the option to play sound from the vehicle speakers or play sound from the wireless audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, Robert Pierce Lutter
  • Patent number: 8953151
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a transmitter and a receiver in a vehicle by means of a central processing unit, wherein said transmitter and receiver are designed for transmitting electromagnetic or optical signals in a predetermined direction and for receiving said signals from substantially the same predetermined direction, respectively, for example for communicating between different vehicles, and wherein said transmitter and receiver are operatively connected to the central processing unit, comprising the steps of: —generation of a signal in the central processing unit; —transmission of a signal by the transmitter in dependence on the signal generated in the central processing unit; —reception by the receiver of the signal from the transmitter; and —determination by the central processing unit of the presence of the transmitter and the receiver in dependence on the signal from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting Noble House
    Inventors: Tom Marnix Alexander De Wilde, Patrick Dijkstra
  • Patent number: 8948946
    Abstract: A thermal system includes fluid-cooled devices, a controller, and a thermal loop or loops each having a cooling actuator and fluid passages. The controller executes device-specific control logic to arbitrate between cooling requests having different relative priorities. The controller receives raw speed requests and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for each device, and processes the raw speed requests and NVH limits to determine a relative cooling priority for each device. The controller outputs a speed command to the actuator(s) for each thermal loop in order to cool the devices at a level required by the device having the highest relative cooling priority. A vehicle includes a traction motor, a transmission that is selectively connected to the traction motor, fluid-cooled devices each in electrical communication with the motor, and a controller configured to execute the arbitration method noted above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D S Ballnik, Xiaowen Luo, Keith D. Buford
  • Publication number: 20150012172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for calibrating a plurality of environment sensors in a vehicle. To this end, traffic light signals are detected and identified from the data of at least one environment sensor. The plurality of environment sensors are calibrated when it has been determined that a traffic light signal that is relevant for the vehicle has turned red (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Hegemann, Matthias Komar, Stefan Lueke
  • Publication number: 20140379203
    Abstract: A method for axle measurement of a motor vehicle, including the steps of initiating a first axle measurement operation, using a first selection signal; outputting a first control signal to an electronic brake control system of the motor vehicle as a function of the first selection signal; activating a first brake configuration of electronically operable brakes of the motor vehicle as a function of the first control signal, using the electronic brake control system; and carrying out the first axle measurement operation while the first brake configuration is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen Westphal, Klaus Hummel
  • Patent number: 8903597
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an extension connector. The extension connector may include a first connector communicatively coupled to an in-vehicle connector associated with an automobile. The extension connector may further include a second connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector. The extension connector may further include a third connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cability, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Bailey Jones
  • Patent number: 8897954
    Abstract: A method is provided of calibrating a position sensor of an electric motor of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Anderson, Zimin Wu Vilar
  • Publication number: 20140336903
    Abstract: An engine has a controller for causing an EGR system to disallow EGR while concurrently executing a strategy for evaluating calibration of a mass airflow sensor in an intake system by operating the engine at each of different combinations of engine speed and engine load, and for each combination of engine speed and engine load, recording a corresponding output signal of the sensor and also calculating mass flow passing through an intake manifold as a function of intake manifold pressure, intake manifold temperature, speed of the engine, and volumetric efficiency of the engine. The output signal of the MAF sensor and the calculated mass flow passing through the intake manifold at least one combination of engine speed and engine load are used to evaluate the calibration the MAF sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Kwok, Andrew Fay
  • Publication number: 20140330480
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for determining the installation position of a sensor module in a vehicle—namely, for determining whether the sensor module has its longitudinal axis oriented longitudinally or transversely. The sensor module has a longitudinal acceleration sensor for measuring a longitudinal module acceleration in the direction of the longitudinal axis and/or a transverse acceleration sensor for measuring a transverse module acceleration transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. To this end, while the vehicle is travelling, a measured longitudinal module acceleration and/or a measured transverse module acceleration is compared with a longitudinal vehicle acceleration and/or a transverse vehicle acceleration ascertained in another way. By the comparison, at least one degree of conformity is ascertained, which represents the conformity of a measured module acceleration with a calculated vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Heiko Kopper, Arne Michaelsen, Tobias Munko
  • Patent number: 8880277
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a vehicle specific configuration file. The method includes: determining a vehicle identification number; retrieving, based on the vehicle identification number, from at least one data storage device a bus topology, module information, at least one message identification number, and at least one message length; and generating a configuration file based on the vehicle identification number, the bus topology, the module information, the at least one message identification number, and the at least one message length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Julson, Gary W. Taraski, Thomas M. P. Catsburg, Kimberley R. Will, Khara D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20140324280
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a collective alignment of rotor blades for an aircraft while the aircraft is on the ground is disclosed. The method includes determining an air density altitude, and determining a torque value for each engine of the aircraft, while the aircraft rotor blades are operated at a normal speed and the rotor blades are set to a full down position for ground operations via a collective controller. The method further includes evaluating the collective condition by comparing the torque value to a predetermined flat pitch torque alignment limit for the air density altitude, and providing an indication of the collective condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Green, Harrison H. Chin, Howard S. Kunselman
  • Patent number: 8874302
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an improved scanning tool with a module reprogramming capability are disclosed. In various embodiments, the improved scanning tool uses sophisticated identification software to identify automotive functional modules to identify the modules' part-numbers and resident software revisions. The appropriate update software can then be uploaded and programmed onto the modules of interest with minimal delay and human interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Hemang Shah, Brant Story, Poojitha Dahanaike
  • Patent number: 8874280
    Abstract: In order to allow the broader selection of modules that configure a vehicle, this information processing system, which is for checking a vehicle configured by combining a plurality of vehicle modules, is characterized by being provided with: a first judgment means that judges whether or not each vehicle module has been certified; a second judgment means that judges whether or not the combination of the plurality of vehicle modules can be certified; and a determination means that determines the conditions necessary for the combination of the plurality of vehicle modules to receive certification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Doi, Koyo Uemura, Satoko Itaya, Yoshiaki Wakabayashi, Satoru Oga, Junich Miyamoto, Hajime Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20140309847
    Abstract: Methods and systems for vehicle diagnostic detection and identification through vehicle sensitive skin are disclosed. Specifically, a method to monitor the exterior surface skin of a vehicle to enable detection and identification of damage to the vehicle exterior surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, a change in skin condition provides monitoring of vehicle performance and identifies vehicle operating abnormalities. In the event vehicle skin damage is detected, the system may take a number of actions. In one embodiment, the actions comprise notifying authorized users of the vehicle, a maintenance and diagnostics service provider, a security provider, and emitting a visual or audio alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 8862316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosing the operational state of a fuel supply system of an automobile internal combustion engine, said fuel being stored in a tank of the vehicle and having a variable alcohol content, wherein said method includes a step of diagnosing (S6) the operational state of the fuel supply system, a step of detecting the addition of alcohol into the tank (S2), a step of determining the alcohol content (S2bis) in the fuel, and a checking step (S4) in which the diagnosis step (S6) is triggered if the step of determining the alcohol content (S2bis) in the fuel is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Nicolas Protin, Michel Leporcq
  • Patent number: 8843263
    Abstract: The present invention provides an onboard system for determining vehicle emissions. The emissions are determined in real-time and may be transmitted to a remote terminal for storage and/or analysis. Data is supplied solely to an emissions unit from a vehicle diagnostic system: the vehicle diagnostic system receives vehicle data from vehicle systems and sub-systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lysanda Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Willard
  • Patent number: 8838329
    Abstract: A current position computation unit of a hydraulic shovel computes a current position of a working point included in a work tool based on a plurality of parameters that indicate the dimensions and swing angles of a boom, an arm, and the work tool. A vehicle body coordinate system computation unit of a calibration device computes coordinate conversion information based on first and second working point position information measured by an external measurement device. A coordinate conversion unit converts coordinates at a plurality of positions of the working point measured by the external measurement device in a coordinate system of the external measurement device to those in a vehicle body coordinate system using the coordinate conversion information. A calibration computation unit computes calibration values of the parameters based on the converted coordinates at the plurality of positions of the working point in the vehicle body coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanobu Seki
  • Patent number: 8825211
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automated steering wheel leveling system and method. Particularly, the automated steering wheel leveling system includes a machine vision, a plurality of motor cylinders, a motor, and a robot, each operated by a process PC. The machine vision photographs a steering wheel to obtain position information of the steering wheel and determines a stroke of a motor cylinder and a grip position of a gripper using the position information. The plurality of motor cylinders move a plurality of grippers to steering wheel to secure the steering wheel. The motor rotates the steering wheel in order to adjust a zero-point of the steering wheel. The robot then moves the machine vision, the motor cylinder, and the motor to the steering wheel to align a shaft of the servo motor with a shaft of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ji Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 8825279
    Abstract: A bicycle power sensing apparatus is basically provided with a power sensing device, a calibration signal generating device and a controller. The controller is operatively arranged to receive a calibration signal from the calibration signal generating device. The controller calibrates the power sensing device upon receiving the calibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Michihiro Kodama
  • Patent number: 8825295
    Abstract: A system for determining an angular position of a pair of steerable wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels can include a yaw rate sensor, a pair of wheel speed sensors and a controller. The yaw rate sensor can be configured to output data representative of an angular velocity of the vehicle about a vertical axis of the vehicle. Each of the pair of wheel speed sensors can be configured to output data representative of a rotational velocity of a respective one of the plurality of wheels. The controller can be in electrical communication with each of the pair of wheel speed sensors and the yaw rate sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Paul Turner
  • Patent number: 8818619
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining a tire operating condition including a tire-based pressure and temperature sensor and transmitter and a vehicle ignition system. A vehicle-based receiver/controller receives sensor signals and state of the ignition system. The controller provides an error signal when the sensed tire pressure is less than a set threshold value Pset and resets the error signal when the sensed tire pressure is greater than a reset threshold value Prst. The receiver/controller determines the set threshold value Pset and the reset threshold value Prst as a function of a calculated warm tire pressure value Pwarm, determines a mole value N of the tire pressure, and adjusts the determined set threshold value Pset and the reset threshold value Prst in response to the vehicle ignition state and a change in the determined mole value N. A display is provided for displaying the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: David L. Juzswik
  • Patent number: 8818738
    Abstract: An apparatus for tuning a parameter of a Kalman filter in a wheel inspection for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an association module that associates wheel inspection data of the vehicle with locations of corresponding wheels in the vehicle; an evaluation module that evaluates a wheel stable score of the vehicle based on the wheel inspection data and the association, where the wheel stable score indicates reliability of the wheel inspection; and a parameter tuning module that tunes a measurement error covariance of the Kalman filter according to the evaluated wheel stable score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Duan, Ke Hu, Zhong Bo Jiang, Wen Ting Mo, Wei Sun, Xin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140188332
    Abstract: A system and method to diagnosis an actuator of a flight control system. The system and method includes interfacing a diagnostic computer to the flight control system, commanding movement of an actuator with the diagnostic computer via the flight control system, measuring performance of the actuator via the diagnostic computer, and comparing the measured performance of the actuator with allowable performance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: John R. Wittmaak, JR., Jayme Gonzalez, Charles Eric Covington, Carlos Fenny
  • Patent number: 8768560
    Abstract: A method for performing transform calibration of an accelerometer of a telematics device during installation in a vehicle includes placing the device in the vehicle at an initial position having a known alignment with a given frame of reference of the vehicle, moving the telematics device from the initial position to a final installation position in the vehicle with a tri-axial rate gyroscope of the device concurrently tracking and integrating the angle changes to provide a set of coordinates of the final installation position, and transform calibrating the accelerometer of the device using the set of coordinates so as to leave the device installed at the final position with its accelerometer transform calibrated with respect to the given frame of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Webtech Wireless Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ernest Willis
  • 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: 8761996
    Abstract: In a method and a device for learning the neutral position of the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle, the lowest pedal voltage is determined during a first drive cycle, the voltage remaining constant over a specific period of time and repeating itself several times within the drive cycle. A minimum pedal value is confirmed and set on the basis of the determined lowest pedal value that has been confirmed in at least one succeeding drive cycle. Finally, a plausibility check on the confirmed lowest pedal value is performed. The method and the device are characterized by particular robustness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Bernhardt, Wolfgang Meier
  • Patent number: 8751100
    Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics or software maintenance on a vehicle comprises storing components of configuration files in a central processing system. An update of the configuration files is requested for the vehicle from a central electronic data processing system based on a user request. The requested update of components of configuration files are received from the central electronic data processing system based on a comparison of a record of the vehicle-installed configuration files and target configuration information on configuration files stored at the central electronic data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnson, Daniel Colavita, Tammy R. Pullen
  • Patent number: 8744674
    Abstract: A method of configuring infotainment applications in a motor vehicle is provided. A control unit is configurable via a configuration interface such that the functional scope and/or a basic setting of the infotainment application is changed based on first configuration data from a first configuration data server. A service center stationarily arranged at a distance from the motor vehicle has a second configuration data server and a second configuration data bank. The service center has a first modification interface by which configuration data of the second configuration data bank is modifiable using first access rights and a second Internet-based modification interface by which the configuration data is modifiable using second access rights differing from the first. Modifications of the configuration data are recognized and the configuration data of the first configuration data bank is changed by using the configuration data from the second configuration data bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Zimmermann, Mikhail Smirnov
  • Patent number: 8738256
    Abstract: A method of determining a torque transfer touch point of a clutch within a drive train includes applying a predetermined amount of current to an electric motor such that the electric motor will apply a torque to at least a portion of a clutch. The predetermined amount of current will not rotate a shaft of the motor when the clutch is at least partially engaged. The method also includes initiating disengagement of the clutch, detecting movement of at least a portion of the motor, and recording a clutch parameter that is generally coincident with the detecting movement of a least a portion of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Connolly, George A. Brunemann, Matthew P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8731769
    Abstract: An inertial sensor calibration method has steps of mounting an observer device and an inertial sensor of a vehicle carrying on an inertial move, acquiring actual vehicle motion data from the observer device and inertial signal data of the inertial sensor, calculating an integral corresponding to the vehicular dynamic variation model with respect to the inertial signal data to obtain predicted vehicle sensor data and calculating variations of the actual vehicle motion data, acquiring differences between the two calculated data, applying an energy optimization and a discretization to the differences so as to obtain parametric error variances, and feeding back the parametric error variances to the vehicular dynamic variation model to calibrate the parameters associated with offset and scale factor and acquire a calibrated vehicular dynamic variation model. Under the premise of no GPS, electronic compass or pressure sensor, the present invention can secure positioning continuity and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing Center
    Inventors: Chan-Wei Hsu, Liang-Yu Ke