Artificial Intelligence (e.g., Fuzzy Logic) Patents (Class 701/40)
  • Patent number: 12004439
    Abstract: A bale retriever includes: a chassis; a steering assembly carried by the chassis and configured to steer the bale retriever; a bale pick up carried by the chassis; and a controller operatively coupled to the steering assembly. The controller is configured to: receive a field signal corresponding to a field map; receive a baler travel signal corresponding to at least one of a baler planned path or a baler travel path of at least one baler; define an expected location of at least one bale on the field map based at least partially on the baler travel signal; generate a steering control signal based at least partially on the expected location of the at least one bale; and output the steering control signal to the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Devin Cooley, Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11866114
    Abstract: A control device for a human-powered vehicle including a control unit is provided. The control device controls a telescopic mechanism in accordance with output information related to controlling the telescopic mechanism that is output from a learning model in association with input information related to traveling of the human-powered vehicle. A method for creating the learning model, the learning model, and a computer-readable storage medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Fumiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11685215
    Abstract: A load estimation device includes: an air spring having a diaphragm that expands and contracts due to supply and exhaust of air, and configured to support a support body in a liftable manner; an auxiliary support portion configured to support the support body separately from the air spring; a displacement sensor configured to measure a length of the air spring; a pressure sensor configured to measure an internal pressure of the air spring; a temperature sensor disposed together with the air spring, and configured to measure a temperature of the air spring; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a spring load supported by the air spring based on measured results of the displacement sensor, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahito Kizu, Takanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11485189
    Abstract: A weight estimation device for a vehicle includes a storage unit storing a weight calculation information indicating a correspondence between an internal pressure value of an air spring supporting a vehicle body and a vehicle height serving as a height of the vehicle body from a base, a measured value acquisition unit acquiring a measured internal pressure value and a measured vehicle height, an internal pressure value calculation unit calculating a corrected internal pressure value of the air spring by deducting or adding a corrected value from or to the measured internal pressure value in a case where the measured internal pressure value is greater or smaller than the internal pressure value of the weight calculation information which corresponds to the measured vehicle height, and a weight calculation unit calculating a weight of a supported body, including the vehicle body, based on the corrected internal pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahito Kizu, Ken Ogue, Motofumi Takahara, Toshihisa Habiro
  • Patent number: 11376915
    Abstract: Included are an electromagnetic actuator which generates a drive force for damping vibration of a vehicle body; an information acquirer which acquires time-series information about a stroke position of, and information about a stroke velocity of, the electromagnetic actuator, as well as information about reverse of a stroke direction and information about a stroke amount after the reverse; a damping force calculator which calculates a target damping force based on the information about the stroke velocity; and a drive controller which controls drive of the electromagnetic actuator using a target drive force based on the target damping force calculated by the damping force calculator. The damping force calculator corrects the target drive force based on the information about the stroke amount after the reverse acquired by the information acquirer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ohno, Atsuhiko Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11118649
    Abstract: A damper with inner and outer tubes and a piston slidably disposed within the inner tube to define first and second working chambers. A fluid transport chamber is positioned between the inner and outer tubes. A collector chamber is positioned outside the outer tube. An intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the inner tube, includes first and second intake valve bodies and a divider body, which define first and second intermediate chambers in the intake valve assembly. An accumulation chamber is positioned between the intake valve assembly and a closed end of the outer tube. The first intermediate chamber and accumulation chamber are arranged in fluid communication with the collector chamber. A first intake valve controls fluid flow between the second working chamber and the collector chamber. A second intake valve controls fluid flow between the second intermediate chamber and the collector chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 10860025
    Abstract: A method for configuring a behavior for a subject vehicle is presented. The method includes observing a first behavior of an agent during a first time period and estimating a first set of behavioral constraints followed by the agent based on the observed first behavior. The method also includes observing a second behavior of the agent during a second time period and determining whether the agent is behaving in accordance with the first set of behavioral constraints based on the second behavior. The method still further includes adjusting the first set of behavioral constraints when the agent is not operating in accordance with the estimated set of behavioral constraints. The method also includes adjusting the behavior of the subject vehicle based on the adjusted first set of estimated behavioral constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Glencairn Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10564663
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a haptic pedal (10) for a vehicle (4). The pedal comprises a plurality of piezoelectric actuators (22) operable for providing haptic feedback to a driver through the footrest (18) and sensing means (26) for mapping the area of the footrest in contact with a driver's foot so that haptic feedback is delivered by selective activation of actuators in the mapped area. The invention also comprises a haptic feedback system including the haptic pedal (10) and a controller (6) for receiving an input from the sensing means (26) relating to the area of the footrest in contact with the driver's foot and for delivering an output to selectively activate piezoelectric actuators overlapping the contact area in dependence on a sensed state of the vehicle. The haptic feedback system may be implemented as part of the vehicle's navigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Claudia Krehl, Elvir Hasedzic, Harpreet Singh
  • Patent number: 10179586
    Abstract: Described herein is an electronic control unit in an autonomous vehicle. The electronic control unit may comprise: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to: detect a first obstacle; determine first data related to the first obstacle; transmit the first data to a data aggregation service; receive, from the data aggregation service, second data related to a second obstacle; create a notification of the second obstacle; and deliver the notification to an interior of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Miles J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10023194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle powertrain including determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range. A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the performance feature. An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil Bevan, Robin Maugham, Andrew Lilley, Simon Jarvis
  • Patent number: 9963006
    Abstract: A damper control device controls a damping force of each damper interposed between a vehicle body and a corresponding one of a plurality of vehicle wheels of a vehicle. The damper control device includes: a good wavy road control calculation unit that obtains, for each damper, a good wavy road control instruction suitable for a good wavy road representing a wavy road surface; a bad wavy road control calculation unit that obtains, for each damper, a bad wavy road control instruction suitable for a bad wavy road that has more concavities and convexities than the good wavy road; and a final instruction calculation unit that obtains a final control instruction for each damper based on the good wavy road control instruction and on the bad wavy road control instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoo Kubota, Masatoshi Okumura
  • Patent number: 9505385
    Abstract: When a braking operation amount is reduced, a stiffness value representing a ratio of variation in actual pressing force of a friction member to a variation in actual position of an electric motor are sequentially computed. The actual position when the stiffness value changes from being higher than or equal to a predetermined value to being lower than the predetermined value is stored as a candidate position. When a duration during which the stiffness value is lower than the predetermined value is shorter than a clearance corresponding value corresponding to a transmission member clearance in a state where the candidate position is stored, the candidate position is deleted. When the duration during which the stiffness value is lower than the predetermined value exceeds the clearance corresponding value, the stored candidate position is determined as a reference position at which the friction member and the rotary member begin contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroyuki Kodama, Naotoshi Satake
  • Patent number: 8965632
    Abstract: [Object] The present invention provides a suspension control apparatus that allows miniaturization of a solenoid valve. [Solution] When a controller is started up by a power source controller (a power source unit), the controller switches a control current from 0 ampere to a maximum current value I6 at the same time as the startup. After that, the control shifts to normal control. As a result, even if a hysteresis of a damping force characteristic is large relative to the control current, it is possible to promptly move a solenoid valve to a position to be used in the normal control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Uchino, Ryusuke Hirao, Yohei Katayama, Hiroyuki Yabe, Hiroki Ohara
  • Patent number: 8930075
    Abstract: A control method for an active suspension of a vehicle, wherein the determination of an optimal camber angle of the active suspension includes the steps of: estimating the slip angle of the wheel of the active suspension; estimating the vertical force which weighs on the wheel of the active suspension; estimating the transverse force which is transferred to the ground by the wheel of the active suspension as a function of the slip angle of the wheel of the active suspension and as a function of the vertical force which weighs on the wheel of the active suspension; and determines the optimal camber angle as a function of the transverse force which is transferred to the ground by the wheel of the active suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Isabel Ramirez Ruiz
  • Publication number: 20140309883
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a sprung vibration damping control device, an unsprung vibration damping control device, a driving state-determining device, a damping force distribution factor-calculating device, and a damping force control device that, when the driving state-determining device determines that the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, controls the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of a greater of an unsprung vibration damping control amount and a sprung vibration damping control amount, and that, when the driving state-determining device determines that the vehicle is turning, calculates the damping force control amount on the basis of an unsprung vibration damping control amount so as to maintain the damping force distribution factor, and controls the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of a greater of a calculated damping force control amount and the sprung vibration dampi
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
  • Patent number: 8862321
    Abstract: A method of guiding a vehicle to a region for initiating a parallel parking maneuver. A region of feasible starting locations for successfully performing a parallel parking maneuver is determined by a processor. A position of the vehicle relative to the region of feasible starting locations is determined. A determination is made whether the vehicle is in a zero heading position. The vehicle is guided along an initial target path by controlling a steering actuator until the vehicle is in a zero heading position relative to the road of travel in response to the vehicle is not in the zero heading position. A planned path is generated that includes two arc-shaped trajectories extending between the vehicle at the zero heading position and a position within the region of feasible starting locations as determined by the processor. The steering actuator is controlled to follow the planned path to the feasible region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi, Shih-Ken Chen
  • Patent number: 8825294
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle suspension system including the steps of detecting, computing and altering the center of gravity of the vehicle. The detecting step includes the detecting of a center of gravity of the vehicle thereby defining a detected center of gravity. The computing step includes computing what alteration of a plurality of actuators is needed to substantially reduce a value of a difference between the detected center of gravity and a preferred center of gravity using a fuzzy relations control strategy. The computing step is carried out in a controller. The altering step includes altering the center of gravity of the vehicle by way of the controller actuating at least one of the actuators connected to suspension elements of the vehicle dependent upon the alteration arrived at in the computing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: William R. Norris, Bernard E. Romig
  • Patent number: 8798859
    Abstract: [Object] The present invention provides a suspension control apparatus that allows miniaturization of a solenoid valve. [Solution] When a controller is started up by a power source controller (a power source unit), the controller switches a control current from 0 ampere to a maximum current value I6 at the same time as the startup. After that, the control shifts to normal control. As a result, even if a hysteresis of a damping force characteristic is large relative to the control current, it is possible to promptly move a solenoid valve to a position to be used in the normal control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Uchino, Ryusuke Hirao, Yohei Katayama, Hiroyuki Yabe, Hiroki Ohara
  • Patent number: 8781681
    Abstract: In an active suspension system for actively suspending a plant, a fail-safe system controlled by a failure-detector has a selectively-activated damper coupled to the plant. The damper may be a separate element from the actuator. Under normal circumstances, the damper is deactivated and therefore generates no damping force. However, if the failure detector detects an abnormal state in the system, it activates the damper, thereby causing a damping force that resists motion of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Parison, Jr., Upendra V. Ummethala
  • Patent number: 8775024
    Abstract: A steering damper system for a saddle riding type vehicle having an MR damper includes a damping force calculating unit arranged to calculate a damping force according to a steering angle speed, and an adjusting command output unit arranged to determine a running state from a vehicle speed and a steering angle detected by sensors, with reference to a reference table, and correcting the damping force calculated according to the running state. The reference table has areas divided by a steering angle range according to vehicle speed, and damping force adjustment factors according to running states are assigned to these areas. The steering angle range dividing the areas becomes narrower with an increase in vehicle speed, to accurately reflect the running states of the vehicle. A proper damping force can be generated according to a running state of the vehicle. The steering damper system eases the rider's burden accompanying steering operations, and is excellent in controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Hara, Yasuhiro Oomura
  • Patent number: 8738228
    Abstract: A method for tuning a vehicle's performance may include measuring a plurality of parameters representing the vehicle's current handling condition and the vehicle's limit handling condition, determining a margin between the vehicle's current handling condition and limit handling condition, characterizing the driver's dynamic control of the vehicle based on the margin, and altering at least one tunable vehicle performance parameter based on the characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar Petrov Filev, Jianbo Lu, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Fling Tseng
  • Patent number: 8731774
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer-readable media for controlling a suspension for a vehicle in which a platform model and a suspension model are provided and a first neural oscillator model and a second neural oscillator model that feed back an output to each model to acquire displacements of the platform model and the suspension model from displacements inputted into a tire, acquire feedbacks of the first neural oscillator model and the second neural oscillator model from the displacements of the platform model and the suspension model, and acquire pressing force required in the suspension for the vehicle from the feedback of the second neural oscillator model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Woo Sung Yang
  • Publication number: 20140107892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system operable to raise and lower the height of a vehicle based in part on the response characteristics of the vehicle's suspension and vehicle loading. The control system may develop a vehicle suspension system response by mapping a correlation between changes in air pressure of air springs in the vehicle's suspension and a test valve-open-time. During operation, the control system may predict a valve-open-time in response to a command relating to a target air pressure for the air springs, and then inflate or deflate one or more of the air springs for a duration substantially equal to the predicted valve-open-time. This process may be iterated until the control system achieves, within an acceptable degree of error, the target air pressure for the one or more air springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: AIR LIFT COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua D. Coombs, Aaron Mulder, Brian R. Vinson
  • Patent number: 8655577
    Abstract: A device and a method for improved automatic ride level control of a utility vehicle on an inclined underlying surface use a lateral acceleration sensor to sense the inclination of the utility vehicle in the stationary state or with a reduced speed in conjunction with a chassis of adjustable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Stender
  • Patent number: 8571744
    Abstract: An automated method and system includes an automatic guidance system (AGS) and swath pattern. The AGS steers a vehicle towing a rotary baler in an “S”, or oscillatory pattern around a predetermined approximate centerline of the swath path. The oscillatory pattern may be user defined. By steering the vehicle in an oscillatory pattern referenced to the A-B line, a windrow of crop material may be distributed into an even and optimal bale size and density by the baler. Bale chamber sensors detect an imbalance of crop density and in response, AGS adjusts an interval or amplitude of oscillatory pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brubaker, Phillip A. Cobb
  • Publication number: 20130275003
    Abstract: [Object] The present invention provides a suspension control apparatus that allows miniaturization of a solenoid valve. [Solution] When a controller is started up by a power source controller (a power source unit), the controller switches a control current from 0 ampere to a maximum current value I6 at the same time as the startup. After that, the control shifts to normal control. As a result, even if a hysteresis of a damping force characteristic is large relative to the control current, it is possible to promptly move a solenoid valve to a position to be used in the normal control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Toru Uchino, Ryusuke Hirao, Yohei Katayama, Hiroyuki Yabe, Hiroki Ohara
  • Patent number: 8504240
    Abstract: Provided is an alternator controller that sets a target current value based on a target voltage as a control reference of an alternator mounted on a vehicle, and controls the alternator based on the set target current value. The alternator controller includes a filter processing unit that performs filter processing of a target power generation torque as a conversion physical amount used until the target current value is set from the target voltage. The filter processing unit performs a filter processing that attenuates or removes a frequency component f of the pitch resonance frequency of the vehicle among the waveforms of the target power generation torque. Thus, it is possible to surely suppress fluctuations of a vehicle behavior attributed to torque fluctuations of an alternator load torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Publication number: 20130197756
    Abstract: A control method for an active suspension of a vehicle, wherein the determination of an optimal camber angle of the active suspension includes the steps of: estimating the slip angle of the wheel of the active suspension; estimating the vertical force which weighs on the wheel of the active suspension; estimating the transverse force which is transferred to the ground by the wheel of the active suspension as a function of the slip angle of the wheel of the active suspension and as a function of the vertical force which weighs on the wheel of the active suspension; and determines the optimal camber angle as a function of the transverse force which is transferred to the ground by the wheel of the active suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ferrari S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 8498784
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for estimating the suspension stroke of a vehicle comprising the steps consisting of: a) determining a variability law (10) that associates the stroke of the suspension with the pressure inside a shock absorber of the same, based on experimental data; b) estimating the suspension stroke value related to a measured pressure value, based on the variability law (10) identified in step (a); c) detecting/obtaining the longitudinal vehicle dynamics; d) recalibrating (30) the variability law (10) identified in step a), based on the longitudinal vehicle dynamics detected/obtained in step c). The present invention also refers to an apparatus for implementing the estimation method of the suspension stroke of a vehicle according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Matteo Savaresi, Cristiano Spelta, Andrea Moneta, Filippo Tosi, Luca Fabbri
  • Publication number: 20130158799
    Abstract: When a preview sensor acquires undulation information regarding a convex portion of a road surface, an electric actuator expands during a predetermined period of time between that point and a point immediately before the wheel rides on the convex portion, whereby ascending velocity of a sprung member increase. Therefore, when the wheel rides on the convex portion, the sprung member reaches estimated unsprung ascending velocity as a result of the expansion of the electric actuator up to that point. Accordingly, in the case where the wheel rides on the convex portion and an unsprung member is pushed up, a change in the sprung vertical velocity caused by application of the pushing up force to the sprung member is reduced because the sprung member ascends at the estimated unsprung ascending velocity. Therefore, riding quality is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ichisei Kamimura
  • Patent number: 8437909
    Abstract: A computer program product includes a storage medium that stores instructions for execution by a processing circuit for practicing a method for synchronous communication in a control system. Within a first time interval, a first source task is executed to broadcast a first destination task, within a second sequential time interval, the first destination task is communicated over a channel to a first destination, and within a third sequential time interval, the first destination task is consumed. Within the first time interval, a second source task may be executed to broadcast a second destination task, within the second sequential time interval, the second destination task may be communicated over the channel to a second destination, and within the third sequential time interval, the second destination task may be consumed. The first source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the second source task, and the second source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the first source task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Fuhrman, Miroslawa A. Supal, Arnold W. Millsap
  • Publication number: 20130035825
    Abstract: An active suspension system senses roadway defects and adjusts an active and controllable suspension system of the vehicle before tires come in contact with the defect. The active suspension system identifies a type of defect or debris, e.g., pothole, bump, object, etc., along with the size, width, depth, and/or height information of the defect to more accurately control operation of the suspension system to prepare for, or avoid contact with the roadway defects and obstacles. Imaging techniques are employed to identify the defect or debris. Operation of a serviced cruise control system is controlled to enhance passenger safety and comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: ENPULZ, L.L.C.
    Inventor: ENPULZ, L.L.C.
  • Publication number: 20130030650
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle suspension system including the steps of detecting, computing and altering the center of gravity of the vehicle. The detecting step includes the detecting of a center of gravity of the vehicle thereby defining a detected center of gravity. The computing step includes computing what alteration of a plurality of actuators is needed to substantially reduce a value of a difference between the detected center of gravity and a preferred center of gravity using a fuzzy relations control strategy. The computing step is carried out in a controller. The altering step includes altering the center of gravity of the vehicle by way of the controller actuating at least one of the actuators connected to suspension elements of the vehicle dependent upon the alteration arrived at in the computing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: William R. Norris, Bernard E. Romig
  • Patent number: 8326486
    Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.
    Inventors: Kamyar Moinzadeh, Leon L. Hong, Lee Zhao
  • Patent number: 8237386
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 8234033
    Abstract: An automated method and system includes an automatic guidance system (AGS) and swath pattern. The AGS steers a vehicle towing a rotary baler in an “S”, or oscillatory pattern around a predetermined approximate centerline of the swath path. The oscillatory pattern may be user defined. By steering the vehicle in an oscillatory pattern referenced to the A-B line, a windrow of crop material may be distributed into an even and optimal bale size and density by the baler. Bale chamber sensors detect an imbalance of crop density and in response, AGS adjusts an interval or amplitude of oscillatory pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brubaker, Philip A. Cobb
  • Patent number: 8200605
    Abstract: A decision making unit suitable for an autonomous platform. The decision making unit includes a receiving module configured to receive at least one ability request and a preconditioning module configured to precondition the received ability request. A filter is configured to filter the preconditioned ability request. A first generator is configured to generate a set of behavior instructions associated with the filtered ability request. A priority processor is configured to priority process the filtered ability request. A second generator is configured to generate at least one control signal depending upon the priority processing of the filtered ability request, wherein the control signal includes information about the generated set of behavior instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Saab AB
    Inventors: Hans-Ove Hagelin, Johan Ehlin
  • Patent number: 8190307
    Abstract: The control optimization method for helicopters carrying suspended loads during hover flight utilizes a controller based on time-delayed feedback of the load swing angles. The controller outputs include additional displacements, which are added to the helicopter trajectory in the longitudinal and lateral directions. This simple implementation requires only a small modification to the software of the helicopter position controller. Moreover, the implementation of this controller does not need rates of the swing angles. The parameters of the controllers are optimized using the method of particle swarms by minimizing an index that is a function of the history of the load swing. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the controller in suppressing the swing of the slung load while stabilizing the helicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventor: Hanafy M. Omar
  • Patent number: 8185259
    Abstract: The fuzzy logic-based control method for helicopters carrying suspended loads utilizes a controller based on fuzzy logic membership distributions of sets of load swing angles. The anti-swing controller is fuzzy-based and has controller outputs that include additional displacements added to the helicopter trajectory in the longitudinal and lateral directions. This simple implementation requires only a small modification to the software of the helicopter position controller. The membership functions govern control parameters that are optimized using a particle swarm algorithm. The rules of the anti-swing controller are derived to mimic the performance of a time-delayed feedback controller. A tracking controller stabilizes the helicopter and tracks the trajectory generated by the anti-swing controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventor: Hanafy M. Omar
  • Patent number: 8177043
    Abstract: A steering damper can generate a smaller damping force according to a first damping force characteristic or a larger damping force according to a second damping force characteristic by controlling a flow of hydraulic oil during a steering operation of a steering member. When the associated vehicle is running at a relatively low or medium speed and is not accelerating, and if an operational speed of the steering damper is lower than a predetermined value, damping force according to the first damping force characteristic can be generated in the steering damper. On the other hand, when the operational speed of the steering damper is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, damping force according to the second damping force characteristic can be generated in the steering damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Hydraulic System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kamiya, Fujio Matsui
  • Patent number: 8160781
    Abstract: A vehicular control system which includes a user parameter input module, an external parameter input module, a plurality of objective functions, a policy setting module, and a policy node. The user parameter input module Inputs a user parameter. The external parameter input module inputs an external parameter resulting from an outside environment. The objective functions are set for each control characteristic, respectively, so as to calculate an internal parameter of each control target from the user parameter and the external parameter. The policy setting module sets policies indicating a control index of the user for the objective functions respectively. The policy node weights the objective functions on the basis of the policies, adjusts the internal parameter in accordance with the policy so that the internal parameter is optimized among the objective functions, and issues a command to a control node corresponding to the internal parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Naono, Masaaki Shimizu, Fumio Arakawa, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Kohei Sakurai, Masatoshi Hoshino, Kentaro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8078429
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a plant diagnostic system for diagnosing a problem with the plant. The plant diagnostic system can include an agent-based plant diagnostic network that has an adaptive global agent located in a central facility, a plant expert agent located at the plant and a plurality of subsystem resident agents. Each of the subsystem resident agents can be assigned to a subsystem of the plant. A diagnosis agent can also be included, the diagnosis agent operable to be instructed by the adaptive global agent, transmitted to the plant expert agent, be received by the plant expert agent, transmitted by the plant expert agent back to the adaptive global agent and be received by the adaptive global agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Liu Qiao
  • Patent number: 8036678
    Abstract: An information system for dynamic distribution of location-related information between users with different perspective views includes a number of user units each including a viewing arrangement defining a viewing direction and a registration subsystem for deriving a mapping between the current perspective view and a shared location reference. The user units also include a data management system and a wireless communication arrangement. At least one of the user units further includes a user input interface for designating a viewed location within the current perspective view for association with location-related information to generate a new location-related information entry for sharing with others of the plurality of user units. At least one other of the user units further includes a display device associated with the viewing arrangement for displaying location-related information correctly positioned in the context of the current perspective view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Goldenberg, Ofer Solomon, Igal Sroka, Ofer Zilberstein, Menachem Dvir
  • Publication number: 20110106381
    Abstract: A method for tuning a vehicle's performance may include measuring a plurality of parameters representing the vehicle's current handling condition and the vehicle's limit handling condition, determining a margin between the vehicle's current handling condition and limit handling condition, characterizing the driver's dynamic control of the vehicle based on the margin, and altering at least one tunable vehicle performance parameter based on the characterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar Petrov Filev, Jianbo Lu, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Fling Tseng
  • Publication number: 20110093166
    Abstract: A method for temperature compensating an air spring of an air spring suspension of a motor vehicle after engine shut-off. A desired trim height is obtained. At engine shut-off, the ambient temperature is measured and the temperature of air in the air spring determined. After a wait time (for loading/unloading), a start trim height is measured. A predicted trim height is determined for when the air in the air spring is at the ambient temperature. Finally, the volume of the air in the air spring is selectively adjusted so that when the air in the air spring arrives at the ambient temperature, the trim height will be about the desired trim height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yunjun Li, John X. Cui, Steven A. Opiteck, Johnathan Darab, Nikolai K. Moshchuk
  • Patent number: 7917270
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle electronic stability control (“ESC”) system utilizing values for a variable obtained from a primary source and a redundant source includes the steps of receiving a first value for the variable from the primary source, receiving a second value for the variable from the redundant source, generating a normalized value as a function of the first value and the second value, determining whether the primary source is operating correctly, utilizing the first value for operation of the vehicle ESC system if the primary source is operating correctly, and utilizing the second value for operation of the vehicle ESC system if the primary source is not operating correctly and the second value is not greater in absolute value than the normalized value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Hualin Tan, David M. Sidlosky, Theresa M. Kondel
  • Patent number: 7765048
    Abstract: In deceleration control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a deceleration control is performed on the basis of a turning of the vehicle; and a controlled variable of the deceleration control is decreased when the vehicle is traveling on an outlet of a curved road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Shinji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7734395
    Abstract: Driver-related electrical adjusting components in motor vehicles are regulated. An operator signal is generated based on a user actuating operator elements, to affect a desired movement of a vehicle component. The operator signal is processed in a control unit. An effect of the operator signal on movement of the vehicle component is regulated as a function of vehicle operating state signals so as to prevent the vehicle component from moving into a safety-critical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Urbahn, Richard Baur
  • Patent number: 7720583
    Abstract: A powertrain control ECU sets a target driving force, and controls an internal combustion engine and a transmission of a vehicle. A first processor of the powertrain control ECU includes a driving force adjustment portion, a filter, a mode-switch, an environmental information-obtaining device, and a steering sensor. The driving force adjustment portion sets the target driving force based on at least one of instructions from a driver and from a second processor. The filter corrects the target driving force to suppress vibration on a spring of the vehicle. The mode-switch sets the running mode. The environmental information-obtaining device obtains information on the environment around the vehicle. The steering angle sensor determines the running condition. A correction amount, by which the filter corrects the target driving force, is adjusted according to the running mode, the environment, and the running condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Takamatsu, Shoji Inagaki, Yasuhiro Nakai, Kenji Kawahara
  • Patent number: 7715963
    Abstract: In a stabilizer control apparatus for controlling a torsional rigidity of a stabilizer of a vehicle, an actual lateral acceleration and a calculated lateral acceleration are obtained. Then, influence amount caused by the calculated lateral acceleration is set to be greater than influence amount caused by the actual lateral acceleration, when the vehicle is moving straight, whereas the influence amount caused by the actual lateral acceleration is set to be increased, with the turning operation of the vehicle being increased, to actively control the rolling motion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Shingo Urababa, Shuuichi Buma