Vehicle Subsystem Or Accessory Control Patents (Class 701/36)
  • Patent number: 12090991
    Abstract: By the vehicle control method, in a vehicle provided with wheel, a sensor that acquires rotation speed of the wheel, and a sound generation device that generates sound as the sound generation device is driven, the angular acceleration of wheel is obtained from the rotation speed acquired by a sensor, and a sound generation device is controlled such that the generated sound becomes louder when conditions are met. Cases in which the angular acceleration is high are included in the conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Sawada, Yasuhiro Yamauchi, Hisayoshi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 12090955
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus that may collect data from at a vehicle. Data may be collected by connecting to a port of an on board diagnostic bus at the vehicle or this data may be received via a wireless communication interface. Collected data may be stored at a database and this data may be analyzed to identify whether a person at a vehicle is authorized to access or drive the vehicle. This collected data may also be analyzed to identify faults that may occur at a vehicle and recommendations to responding those faults may be provided to a driver of the vehicle via a user interface such as a speaker or display at the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: AirWire Technologies
    Inventors: Gerardo Gonzalez, Debashis Bagchi
  • Patent number: 12075721
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing downforce control includes a seeder including a plurality of row units. One or more actuators are operably coupled with the plurality of row units and configured to adjust a downforce of the plurality of row units. A sensor is configured to detect one or more seeding parameters. A computing system is configured to control the operation of the plurality of row units. The computing system is further configured to receive an input associated with a target depth range of the row unit into an underlying field, receive data related to one or more seeding parameters, receive data related to an actual seeding depth; generate a command signal based on a differential between the actual seeding depth and the target depth range; and generate a force command for the one or more actuators to adjust a downforce of the plurality of row units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis George Thompson, Nicholas George Alfred Ryder
  • Patent number: 12079319
    Abstract: A person specifying device includes an authentication unit configured to acquire a captured image capturing a person boarding a moving vehicle, to perform a matching determination as to whether or not the person reflected in the captured image matches a pre-registered person, and to generate person-specifying information representing the person determined via the matching determination; and an authentication-interval-updating unit configured to update a time interval for performing the matching determination to be shorter when failing to achieve a success frequency of authentication above a desired value via the matching determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Kimura, Kazuki Inagaki
  • Patent number: 12077162
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for configuring one or more systems related to the operation of a vehicle includes: in response to receiving input data indicative of a user being about to initiate an operation of the vehicle: determining an identity of the user, loading first data representative of one or more mapping rules from a first memory device, selecting and loading second data representative of one or more generic settings from a second memory device, wherein selecting the data is based on the identity of the user, transforming, based on the mapping rules, the generic settings into vehicle-specific settings, and configuring, based on the vehicle-specific settings, the one or more systems related to the operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Preuss, Carolin Andrea Caparelli, Nicolas Olivier Sébastien Villiers
  • Patent number: 12071115
    Abstract: The invention provides an automatic braking system and method and a vehicle. The automatic braking method comprises: entering an automatic braking process when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed threshold value and a driver completely releases an accelerator pedal, wherein the automatic braking process comprises: detecting surrounding information by a sensing module; determining a target stop position based on the surrounding information, and determining a braking deceleration based on the target stop position; adjusting a motor and a braking system to slow down a vehicle at the predetermined braking deceleration and to stop the vehicle at the target stop position; and automatically activate an autohold system upon the vehicle stopping at the target stop position. The method and device according to embodiments of the invention can enable completely automatic braking and holding. The method and device according to embodiments of the invention can enable completely automatic braking and holding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yufeng Gu, Hongshuai Wang
  • Patent number: 12065087
    Abstract: A vehicle device includes a control unit and a monitoring unit monitoring an abnormality occurred in the control unit and solving the abnormality. The control unit includes a plurality of operating systems that respectively control a plurality of human machine interfaces. The monitoring unit monitors whether the abnormality is occurred in functions of the control unit. In response to a detection of the abnormality, the monitoring unit solves the abnormality of the function in which the abnormality is detected while continuing operation of the function in which the abnormality is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hatsuho Sakai, Tetsuo Kurita
  • Patent number: 12065165
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting various autonomous vehicle settings to protect personal information based on the composition of passengers in a vehicle. In particular, sensitive user information is intelligently parsed out or generalized based on user preference and the presence of unknown passengers. In some examples, sensitive user information is routed to more secure channels such as a mobile device application or a personalized display. In some implementations, the position of passengers within a vehicle is determined to identify which displays are in each passenger's field of view. Additionally, pick-up and drop-off locations can be scrambled to nearby destinations to obscure a home address, work address, or other identifiable address information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Willem Gerrese
  • Patent number: 12064248
    Abstract: Proposed is system and method for determining a driver's fatigue to promote safe driving by determining the driver's fatigue according to a change in a brain wave of a driver during driving of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun Jun Lim
  • Patent number: 12065137
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller. The controller comprises an input means (22) for receiving a trajectory parameter signal comprising one or more parameters indicative of the trajectory (32, 38) of a vehicle (30). The controller further comprises a processing means arranged to set, in dependence on the one or more parameters, a distance from the trajectory for a boundary of an alert zone (40, 44), where the alert zone boundary is, in use, determinative of the minimum distance from the trajectory (32, 38) below which a detected object will trigger an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Ilias Aitidis
  • Patent number: 12059931
    Abstract: A method for detecting a change in location of the wheels of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having at least one central processing unit, and two wheel units which each includes an electronic assembly of sensors and which are each mounted on one of the wheels. The method including a monitoring step, during which a first pattern representative of the location of the wheel unit is established, when the vehicle is at a standstill, and an evaluation step, during which a possible first variation in each first pattern is measured to estimate if the location of the wheel has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolas Guinart, Jean-Phillippe Boisset, Sylvain Godet
  • Patent number: 12060035
    Abstract: A security system includes an information transmission device, and a security device to which a target device is connectable. The information transmission device and the security device are connected to each other via a network. The information transmission device transmits, to the security device, generation information to be used for generating reference identification information. The security device generates the reference identification information by using the generation information received from the information transmission device via the network. The security device acquires identification information of the target device connected to the security device. The security device compares the acquired identification information with the generated reference identification information, and determines validity of the target device connected thereto, based on a result of comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Miyoshi, Isao Kato, Satoru Sakurazawa, Yoichi Hata, Takumi Asaina, Yoshikazu Isoyama
  • Patent number: 12054052
    Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Irene Ai May Wong, Kartheek Gajjala, Tessa Shuk Ling Kam, Cong Zhu, Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 12054169
    Abstract: A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes a radar assembly disposed in a cabin of a vehicle and operable to capture radar data. The radar assembly includes at least one radar transmit antenna that is operable to transmit radar waves and at least one radar receive antenna that is operable to receive radar waves. The transmitted radar waves are transmitted at least to a hotspot zone in the cabin of the vehicle. A data processor is operable to process radar data captured by the radar assembly. The system, via processing at the data processor of radar data captured by the radar assembly, determines movement within the hotspot zone of a body part of an occupant present in the cabin of the vehicle. The system, responsive to determining movement within the hotspot zone of the body part of the occupant, generates a control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Caron, Wassim Rafrafi
  • Patent number: 12045436
    Abstract: A display control device for a vehicle includes a memory, and at least one processor connected to the memory. The at least one processor displays, on a display portion provided at a front side of a steering wheel, plural icons corresponding to a steering wheel switch group, and sets aspect ratios of the icons such that a proportion of a width in the aspect ratio of the icon is large as compared with a proportion of a width in a width-to-height ratio of a corresponding operation region of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Kozono, Shu Nakajima, Keigo Hori
  • Patent number: 12043285
    Abstract: A vehicle that can be customized and personalized via a mobile user profile. The vehicle can include a body, a powertrain, vehicle electronics, and a computing system. The computing system of the vehicle can be configured to: receive data fields of a driver profile of a user from a mobile device; estimate, using machine learning, configurations of vehicle functions for the vehicle according to the data fields; and control settings of a set of components of the vehicle, via the vehicle electronics, according to the estimated configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Richard Noel Bielby
  • Patent number: 12046942
    Abstract: Provide is an apparatus for controlling a battery circuit, a vehicle having the same, and a control method thereof, the apparatus including: a power supply including at least one battery, and at least two low voltage DC-DC Converters (LDCs) electrically connected to the battery and configured to drop an input voltage and supply the voltage to one of a first load and a second load; and a controller including a processor configured to process a signal received from the LDC, wherein the controller is configured to, based on the signal received from the LDC being processed, identify a failure of at least one of the LDCs; and in response to the failure being identified, control a LDC other than the LDC, of which the failure is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seung Chan Lee, Jung Ui Jung, Kwang Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 12038293
    Abstract: Dynamic customization of an autonomous vehicle experience is presented herein. A dynamic recommendation engine can comprise a subscriber interface component, a data component, and a configuration component. The subscriber interface component can receive, from a subscriber of an autonomous vehicle service, a request specifying a route of transport by an autonomous vehicle; and based on the request, the data component can obtain, via a network slice comprising a virtual network function of the autonomous vehicle service, profile information for the subscriber and route information for the route. Further, the configuration component can determine, via the network slice based on the profile information and the route information, configuration data for the autonomous vehicle, and send, via the network slice, the configuration data directed to the autonomous vehicle to facilitate the transport by the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Erie Lai Har Lau, Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Patent number: 12041169
    Abstract: Provided is a method, performed by an electronic device, of safely and quickly transmitting a remote control command to a target device. The method includes: obtaining information related to encryption based on a mutual authentication process between the electronic device and the target device; providing, to a framework and from a digital key applet installed on a secure element of the electronic device, the information related to encryption; encrypting a remote control command by using the information related to encryption; and transmitting the encrypted remote control command to the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sooyeon Jung, Oleksandr Andrieiev, Mingyu Lee, Kangjin Yoon
  • Patent number: 12037061
    Abstract: The application relates to a lateral motion control method and system for a vehicle, an automatic driving controller, a steering system, a vehicle, and a storage medium, wherein the lateral motion control method for the vehicle comprises: generating and outputting a steering control command according to a desired track of the vehicle, such that the vehicle moves along an actual track according to the steering control command; determining a vehicle running state, wherein the vehicle running state is generated according to an error value between the desired track and the actual track; and determining whether to stop/limit outputting of the steering control command or not according to the vehicle running state. The lateral motion of the vehicle can be controlled according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Bohong Xiao, Da Yuan, Chao Xu, Qiang Wei, Baotian Wang
  • Patent number: 12039789
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting seatbelt positioning includes capturing, by a camera, a near infrared (NIR) image of an occupant, applying a median filter to the NIR image to remove glints; converting the NIR image to a black-and-white image, scanning across the black-and-white (B/W) image to detect a plurality of transitions between black and white segments corresponding to stripes extending lengthwise along a length of the seatbelt, and using detections of the plurality of transitions to indicate a detection of the seatbelt. Converting the NIR image to the black-and-white image may include using a localized binary threshold to determine whether a given pixel in the B/W image should be black or white based on whether a corresponding source pixel within the NIR image is brighter than an average of nearby pixels within a predetermined distance of the corresponding source pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Caroline Chung, Frank Judge, Thomas Herbert, Mitchell Pleune
  • Patent number: 12032372
    Abstract: An autonomous driving system includes: a Human Machine Interface; and a control device configured to control autonomous driving of a vehicle, present a first operation instruction to a driver of the vehicle during the autonomous driving, the first operation instruction requesting the driver to perform a first response operation performed in response to a first request or a first proposal by presenting the first request or the first proposal to the driver via the Human Machine Interface, and prohibit presenting a second operation instruction different from the first operation instruction until the first response operation is completed or until a timing at which the first response operation is predicted to be completed, the second operation instruction requesting the driver to perform a second response operation performed in response to a second request or a second proposal by presenting the second request or the second proposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuta Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 12019178
    Abstract: Some demonstrative aspects include radar apparatuses, devices, systems and methods. In one example, an apparatus may include a plurality of Transmit (Tx) antennas to transmit radar Tx signals, and a plurality of Receive (Rx) antennas to receive radar Rx signals. For example, the radar Rx signals may be based on the radar Tx signals. The apparatus may be implemented, for example, as part of a radar device, for example, as part of a vehicle including the radar device. In other aspects, the apparatus may include any other additional or alternative elements and/or may be implemented as part of any other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ofer Markish, Ophir Shabtay, Thushara Hewavithana, Arnaud Amadjikpe, Shengbo Xu
  • Patent number: 12021947
    Abstract: Service providers can be identified to fulfill service requests of a network-based service. A network system is configured to generate, based on historical data associated with the network-based service, a machine-learned service provider optimization (MLSPO) model for generating service provider optimizations. The optimizations can include action recommendations that optimize one or more service metrics. The MLSPO model can be a reinforcement learning model generated by performing a plurality of simulations utilizing one or more virtual agents. A provider device of a service provider can transmit a set of data to the network system that indicates a current location of the service provider. Based on the current location and the MLSPO model, the network system can generate service provider optimizations. Optimization data can be transmitted to the provider device so that the provider device can display information corresponding to the service provider optimizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shicong Meng, Noah Harold Shaw, Joshua K. Hellerstein, Juan Pemberthy, Zhi Li, Jacob Edison
  • Patent number: 12017588
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a plurality of digital cameras disposed at a vehicle and a display device having a video display screen disposed in an interior cabin of the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. Rear backup video images derived from image data captured by a rear backup digital camera are displayed on the video display screen no later than two seconds after the driver of the vehicle first changes propulsion of the vehicle during a new ignition cycle to reverse mode to commence a backup event. Until the backup event is completed, the video display screen displays rear backup video images. Image data conveyed from the plurality of digital cameras is combined to form composite video images that are output for display at the video display screen to provide a bird's eye view that enhances the driver's understanding of areas surrounding the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 12017643
    Abstract: A parking assist apparatus includes: an entry guidance unit configured to, upon receiving a parking request for guiding an autonomous driving vehicle to a parking area in a parking lot, guide the autonomous driving vehicle from an entry initial position, which is a position of the autonomous driving vehicle immediately before starting an entry guidance, to the parking area, as a first target position; and a cancellation guidance unit configured to, upon receiving a parking cancellation request for cancelling the parking request before the autonomous driving vehicle arrives at the first target position: set a second target position that is a different position in the parking lot according to a positional relationship of a current position of the autonomous driving vehicle relative to the entry initial position; and guide the autonomous driving vehicle to the second target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takamasa Hidaka
  • Patent number: 12017533
    Abstract: A method for a situation-controlled display of an actuation element for a function in a vehicle on a touch-sensitive display surface operable by a person using the vehicle involves the actuation element as a blocking element for a window lifter of the vehicle. The actuation element is always displayed if a child is detected on a seat in the vehicle, and a window lifter associated with the seat is actuated, if a contradicting actuation of window lifters for the same window is carried out, the window lifters being accessible to different people in the vehicle, and/or if the occurring actuation of the window lifters deviates from the conventional actuation type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Christoph Gäng, Marko Goller, Alice Stockmann
  • Patent number: 12011964
    Abstract: A method for determining an axle load on a vehicle axle of a tractor includes providing a power lift and a payload coupled thereto, driving the power lift by a hydraulic pump, setting a pump pressure of the hydraulic pump as a function of the coupled payload, detecting the pump pressure by a sensor, and determining the axle load as a function of the detected pump pressure from characteristic data which represents a relationship between the pump pressure and the weight of the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Simon Gaedker, Andreas Remmelmann, Norman Roessel
  • Patent number: 11997166
    Abstract: A vehicular arbitration system includes: a main manager configured to receive one or more requests from a plurality of first application execution units and to determine a request for operating a predetermined on-vehicle device based on the received one or more requests and a predetermined rule; and a plurality of sub-managers respectively configured to arbitrate the request determined by the main manager and a request input from at least one second application execution unit that is different from the plurality of first application execution units and to control the on-vehicle device based on an arbitration result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazumutsu Azuma
  • Patent number: 11987283
    Abstract: A vehicle trailer assist system is configured to display a plurality of target areas to a vehicle operator for the vehicle operator to select. The vehicle operator selects a target area on a trailer for tracking and using in determining a relative orientation with the vehicle. The system records selected target area and determines a relative orientation between a trailer and a tow vehicle based on a relative position between the features in the selected target area on the trailer and the tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC
    Inventors: Nizar Ahamed, Abdulwahab Alkeilani, Luis Enrique Guerra Fernandez
  • Patent number: 11987191
    Abstract: A back-up power supply system (1) is configured to supply electric power from an electric storage device (5) to loads (3) when a power supply (2) is defective. The back-up power supply system (1) includes a first voltage conversion circuit (6) configured to convert an output voltage of the electric storage device (5). The loads (3) include a first load (31) and a second load (32). The back-up power supply system (1) is configured to supply power from the electric storage device (5) to the first load (31) not via the voltage conversion circuit (6), and to supply electric power from the electric storage device (5) to the second load (32) via the voltage conversion circuit (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Mitani, Masatoshi Nakase
  • Patent number: 11981335
    Abstract: In a method for applying penalties or incentives to a driver of a rented vehicle, an indication that the driver has agreed to terms for renting the vehicle from the vehicle owner is received, with the terms including the potential application of penalties or incentives to the driver based on driving behavior. Telematics data, indicative of operation of the rented vehicle by the driver during a period of time, is also received. By analyzing the telematics data, one or more driving behaviors of the driver during the time period is/are identified. One or more characteristics of the rented vehicle are also determined. One or more penalties or incentives are caused to be applied to the driver, based on the driving behavior(s) and the one or more characteristics of the rented vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Brian N. Harvey, Matthew Eric Riley, Sr., Joseph Robert Brannan, J. Lynn Wilson, Ryan Gross
  • Patent number: 11964666
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors mounted on a seat, an output device, and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain an acceleration in each of a first seat in contact with a driver's back and a second seat in contact with a driver's thigh through the plurality of sensors, to determine a specific frequency in each of the first seat and the second seat, to determine contact pressure information and load information of each of the first seat and the second seat through the plurality of sensors, to determine a human vibration sensitivity using at least one of the specific frequency, the contact pressure information, and the load information, to determine driver's emotional information including positive emotional information and arousal emotional information based on the human vibration sensitivity, and to control the output device according to the driver's emotional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kichang Kim, Dong Chul Park, Taekun Yun, Jinsung Lee
  • Patent number: 11965795
    Abstract: One variation of a method includes, during a first time period: detecting a direction of motion of a trailer; detecting a first force applied to a kingpin; detecting an incline angle of the trailer; calculating a first target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the incline angle; and in response to the first force falling below the first target preload force, triggering a motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion. The method further includes, during a second time period: detecting a second force applied to the kingpin; detecting a decline angle of the trailer; calculating a second target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the decline angle; and in response to the second force falling below the second target preload force, triggering the motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Range Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Javidan, Kyle Foley, Kyle Pollard, Bryan Booth, Ryan Flatland, Collin MacGregor, David Sands
  • Patent number: 11958355
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal system includes a pedal lever, a lock mechanism, an actuator, and an ECU. The pedal lever operates according to a step-on operation. The lock mechanism can restrict an operation of the pedal lever. The actuator switches between a locked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is restricted by the lock mechanism and an unlocked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is not restricted. The ECU includes a lock operation determination unit and an actuator control unit. The lock operation determination unit unlocks the pedal lever when an approaching object from behind is detected during a travel of a vehicle in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Kinouchi, Yuusuke Yoshida, Takuto Kita, Hideyuki Mori, Shinji Komatsu
  • Patent number: 11958437
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a seat belt of a vehicle, the method comprising: storing, by a controller, a pattern before an occupant of a vehicle wears a seat belt webbing and a pattern after the occupant of the vehicle wears the seat belt webbing photographed through a region of interest of a vision sensor in a memory; receiving, by the controller, an image for the seat belt webbing photographed in the region of interest of the vision sensor; determining, by the controller, whether the pattern of the seat belt webbing stored in the memory is detected from the image of the seat belt webbing; and when the pattern of the seat belt webbing is not detected, controlling, by the controller, a display device to display a first warning message indicating that the seat belt webbing is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Taeyoung Bang, Youngrok Kim, Soo Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 11949575
    Abstract: An in-vehicle communication device on a transmitting side of a message includes: a delay time measuring unit measuring a delay time from when transmission of a message is first attempted to when the transmission of the message is started; and an assigning unit assigning the delay time measured by the delay time measuring unit to the message. An in-vehicle communication device on a receiving side of a message includes: a reception point acquisition unit acquiring a point in time when a message from the in-vehicle communication device on the transmitting side is received; a delay time acquisition unit acquiring a delay time assigned to the received message; and a calculation unit calculating a transmission cycle of each message based on a point in time acquired by the reception point acquisition unit and a delay time acquired by the delay time acquisition unit for each of two received messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: National University Corporation Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Kurachi, Hiroaki Takada, Hiroshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 11943688
    Abstract: A system, method and storage medium for synchronization between nodes includes transmitting, by a first node, a first synchronization message; determining, by the first node, a first time at which the first synchronization message is transmitted; transmitting, by the first node, a second synchronization message containing a tx timestamp corresponding to the first time; receiving, by a second node, the first synchronization message from the first node; determining, by the second node, a second time at which the first synchronization message is received; storing, by the second node, a rx timestamp corresponding the second time; receiving, by the second node, the second synchronization message from the first node; determining, by the second node, a current local time at which the second synchronization message is received; reading, by the second node, the tx timestamp in the first synchronization message; adjusting, by the second node, the current local time of the second node by adding a difference between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Caleb Garrett, Brandon Conlon
  • Patent number: 11932168
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method performed for alerting the presence of one or more combination vehicles, each comprising a first vehicle unit and one or more second vehicle units and provided with a plurality of alerting units. Each respective first vehicle unit and respective one or more second vehicle units comprises a respective alerting unit out of the plurality of alerting units. The method comprises obtaining movement data indicative of one or both of a current movement or an expected movement of the one or more combination vehicles from at least one data communicating unit comprised in any one of the one or more combination vehicles. The method further comprises determining the current movement and/or the expected movement of the one or more combination vehicles. The method further comprises triggering a sound alert on the plurality of alerting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Hirche, Patrik Blomdahl
  • Patent number: 11936216
    Abstract: A telematics device for reporting data includes a controller, a device battery, and a transceiver to transmit telematics signals including data associated with equipment having a battery. During an inactive state of the equipment, (i) when the equipment battery voltage exceeds a first threshold, the transceiver transmits signals at a first interval powered by the equipment battery, (ii) when the equipment battery voltage fails to exceed the first threshold but exceeds a second threshold and the device battery voltage exceeds a device battery threshold, the transceiver transmits signals at a second interval powered by the device battery, and (iii) when the equipment battery voltage fails to exceed the first threshold but exceeds the second threshold and the device battery voltage fails to exceed the device battery threshold, the transceiver transmits signals at a third interval powered by the equipment battery, and the device battery recharges from the equipment battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TEREX SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
    Inventor: Ryan Schoelerman
  • Patent number: 11919515
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a recognizer configured to recognize a surrounding situation of a host vehicle and a driving controller configured to control one or both of steering and a speed of the host vehicle. The driving controller designates an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle that travels in front of the host vehicle as a first inter-vehicle distance when the host vehicle is allowed to travel in a first driving mode, designates an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle as a second inter-vehicle distance when the host vehicle is allowed to travel in a second driving mode, and designates the target inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle in the second driving mode as a longer distance between the first inter-vehicle distance and the second inter-vehicle distance when the driving mode is switched from the first driving mode to the second driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kanta Tsuji, Takafumi Hirose, Atsushi Ishioka
  • Patent number: 11919597
    Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods to present information to recreational vehicle riders and to provide customizable visual information to recreational vehicle riders. The present application further discloses systems and methods to connect and transmit audio information between a driver portable communication device and a driver audio interface device through the recreational vehicle and audio information between a passenger portable communication device and a passenger audio interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Adam C. Koosmann, Ryan P. Lenton
  • Patent number: 11915185
    Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to securely deliver items to a vehicle. In particular, a delivery is authenticated before access is provided to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shevon Vannitamby, Chris Michael Kava
  • Patent number: 11904962
    Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, the device includes an actuating element which can be operated by a driver for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle, and includes a wheel angle adjuster which, when actuated by the actuating element of the driver and/or by an electronic control unit controlling the automated lateral control of the vehicle, controls a steering angle at the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The device is characterized in that the device has at least one so-called interpretation operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operation action(s) initiated by the driver at the actuating element are suitably interpreted in accordance with the degree of haptic contact between the driver and the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11897562
    Abstract: A method for controlling a steering system of a vehicle during an autonomous steering development mode may include performing, by one or more computing devices, high-authority autonomous steering control of a steering system of the vehicle. The method may further include receiving, by the one or more computing devices, an input from at least one sensor of the steering system indicative of manual operation of the steering system by an operator of the vehicle. Additionally, the method may include transitioning, by the one or more computing devices, from the high-authority autonomous steering control to a low-authority autonomous steering control of the steering system for a predetermined time period in response to receiving the input from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ananda Pandy, Pranav Salunke, Daniel Williams
  • Patent number: 11893658
    Abstract: An augmented virtual vehicle testing system and method for presenting graphics to a vehicle operator during operation of a vehicle. The method includes: determining a position of a vehicle operator within a vehicle testing environment; executing an augmentative simulation of the vehicle testing environment, wherein the augmentative simulation is used to provide a position of one or more virtual objects within the vehicle testing environment; generating graphics representing the one or more virtual objects based on the position of the vehicle operator and the position of the one or more virtual objects within the vehicle testing environment; and presenting the graphics on an electronic display and to the vehicle operator during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Tyler S. Worman, Huei Peng, Gregory J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 11878661
    Abstract: A wiper operation system for a construction machine, enabling a plurality of wiper operating modes set for the operation of the wiper device to be easily checked and being capable of preventing erroneous selection of the wiper operating mode, includes a display, an operation reception unit that receives a mode selection operation for selecting one wiper motion mode from among a plurality of wiper motion modes, and a wiper control section that makes the wiper device perform a motion in the selected wiper motion mode. The display includes a wiper motion display unit performing a display of a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of wiper action modes respectively, and an identification display enabling the icon of the selected wiper action mode to be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro Ueta, Yuta Suzuki, Jun Tsuruda
  • Patent number: 11878588
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for activating a function subject to authorization in a vehicle comprising a system of digital rear-view mirrors with at least first and second touch screens, arranged on the driver's and passenger's side, respectively. The vehicle comprises members suitable for providing at least one function subject to authorization. The method comprises detection, by one of the members, of an action by a person that requires the activation of a function subject to authorization; —transmission, from the member to the system of digital rear-view mirrors, of information relating to the detection; —receipt, from the system of digital rear-view mirrors, of the information relating to the detection originating from the member, —display, on one of the touch screens, of a notification comprising the function subject to authorization, and; an interaction zone suitable for receiving either an agreement or a refusal from the driver and/or the front passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventors: Charles Moreau, Loic Bayard, Pierre Quinio, Eric Eledut, Maxime Savignac
  • Patent number: 11880858
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to predict a vehicle preference of a customer of a rental vehicle agency. An example method to do so involves a computer executing a prediction procedure to obtain and evaluate information associated with a customer. The information can include vehicle ownership history and/or monitoring data obtained from vehicles used by the customer (a personal vehicle, a taxi, and/or a ride share service vehicle, for example). The information may be evaluated by the computer to determine a personal profile of the customer. The personal profile can include items such as physical attributes of the customer, family size, driving characteristics, and/or past vehicle ownership. The personal profile of the customer may then be used by the computer to predict a type of vehicle preferred by the customer and to select, from a vehicle fleet, a vehicle that matches the preferred type of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Lerner, Paige Wong, Scott Huggins, Xingping Chen, Taylor Hawley
  • Patent number: RE50081
    Abstract: A controller for an engine includes processing circuitry configured to perform fuel cut-off for regenerating the filter by burning fine particulate matter collected in the filter. The processing circuitry is configured to perform an interruption process for interrupting the fuel cut-off in a case in which warming of the passenger compartment is requested when the fuel cut-off is being performed and an engine coolant temperature, which is a temperature of the engine coolant, becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature after the fuel cut-off is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Shibamoto, Toshikazu Kato, Shunichi Hara