l METHOD FOR DETECTING AND CONTROLLING LOAD WEIGHT OF VEHICLE BY MEANS OF TIRE PRESSURE OF VEHICLE AND DEVICE THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for detecting and controlling a load weight of a vehicle by means of a tire pressure of the vehicle and a device are provided. The method includes the steps of installation setting, detecting the load weight, and controlling an electric switch. The device includes tire pressure detectors installed on rear wheels of the vehicle and connected with a processor which is input with a preset tire pressure value and able to receive the tire pressure detected by the tire pressure detectors. The processor is connected with an electric switch of the vehicle. The processor compares the tire pressure detected by the tire pressure detectors with the preset tire pressure value, and controls the electric switch to turn on/off a power source of the vehicle. The device is capable of detecting and controlling the load weight of the vehicle by detecting a change of the tire pressure. Full Article
l CONTROL OF A TORQUE DEMANDED FROM AN ENGINE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and a system for control of a torque Tqdemand requested from an engine in a vehicle, wherein the engine provides a dynamic torque Tqfw in response to the torque Tqdemand. Control of the requested torque Tqdemand is performed such that the control provides a desired value Tqfw_req for the dynamic torque and/or a desired derivative Tqfw_req for the dynamic torque. This is achieved by basing the control on at least one current value Tqfw_pres for the dynamic torque, on one or several of the desired value Tqfw_req and the desired derivative Tqfq_req for the dynamic torque, and on a total delay time tdelay_total elapsing from determination of at least one parameter value, to when a change of the dynamic torque Tqfw based on the determined at least one parameter value, has been effected. Full Article
l SYSTEM AND METHOD TO VERIFY INSTALLATION OF ASYMMETRIC PISTON By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a method may include retrieving, via a processor, a fundamental frequency of a cylinder type from a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, receiving, via the processor, a first signal from a first knock sensor disposed on a cylinder. The cylinder is disposed in an engine. The method may also include deriving whether a number of amplitudes of the first signal at the fundamental frequency and one or more harmonic frequencies exceed an undesired installation threshold value, and identifying an asymmetric piston as having an undesired installation if the undesired installation threshold value exceeds the number of amplitudes of the first signal and the one or more harmonic frequencies. Full Article
l CLUTCH ACTUATING ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A process of controlling an actuating assembly for a coupling in the driveline of a motor vehicle, wherein the actuating assembly comprises a drive for moving an actuating element for operating the coupling unit, sensing a position signal representing the position of the actuating element; sensing a force signal representing the operating force required for displacing the actuating element; controlling the drive by means of an electronic control unit as a function of the position signal and the force signal. Further an actuating assembly is used for carrying out the process, as well as a drive assembly having such an actuating assembly. Full Article
l CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE DRIVING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT While a vehicle is traveling in a state where any one of gear positions of a mechanical stepped transmission unit is established, until an estimated input torque that is obtained from the equation of motion for an electrical differential unit changes, a hydraulic pressure of a non-engaged intended hydraulic friction engagement device is increased, and a pack end pressure is learned on the basis of the hydraulic pressure at that time. Therefore, irrespective of feedback control, or the like, over motor generators of the electrical differential unit, it is possible to appropriately learn the pack end pressure, so it is possible to appropriately execute hydraulic control over the hydraulic friction engagement devices, that is, engaging and releasing control, or the like, at the time of shifting, irrespective of individual differences of the portions, aging of friction materials, or the like. Full Article
l TRAVEL DISTANCE ESTIMATION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A travel distance estimation device is provided. The travel distance estimation device includes an estimated velocity determination unit that successively estimates an estimated velocity of a movable object based on an acceleration integrated value and a velocity initial value a travel distance calculation unit that successively calculates an estimated travel distance of the movable object based on the estimated velocity, and a past velocity correction unit that determines corrected past velocities by correcting pre-correction past estimated velocities so that the corrected past velocities are continuous with the velocity initial value determined this time. The pre-corrected past estimated velocities are the estimated velocities that were successively determined. The travel distance estimation device further includes a travel distance correction unit that recalculates based on the corrected past velocities an estimated travel distance. Full Article
l SMOOTHED NAVIGATION SOLUTION USING FILTERED RESETS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A navigation system includes at least one inertial sensor configured to detect motion of the system and generate inertial data; at least one aiding device configured to generate aiding device measurement data; at least one processing unit configured to generate an un-smoothed navigation solution inclusive of navigation state variable error resets based on the inertial data and the aiding device measurement data; wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to sum the state variable error resets into a cumulative sum of the state variable error resets; wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to high pass filter the cumulative sum of the state variable error resets; and wherein the at least one processing unit is further configured to subtract the high pass filtered cumulative sum of the state variable error resets from the un-smoothed navigation solution to generate a smoothed navigation solution. Full Article
l COMPUTING SYSTEM WITH STRUCTURE VERTICAL-TIER MECHANISM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A computing system includes: a control circuit configured to: determine environment measurements representing conditions measured about a building structure located at a geographic location; generate a map based on the environment measurements for mapping a tier of the building structure along a vertical direction; and a storage circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to store the map for representing the building structure. Full Article
l POSITION INFORMATION CORRECTING DEVICE AND POSITION INFORMATION CORRECTING APPLICATION PROGRAM PRODUCT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A position information correcting device includes a reception processing unit receiving position information transmitted from a nearby mobile object, a position correcting unit performing a position correcting process for correcting, based on map data, the position information of the nearby mobile object such that a corrected position of the nearby mobile object is on a running area of a road, a nearby mobile object type acquiring unit acquiring a mobile object type of the nearby mobile object, and a correction performance determining unit determining, based on the mobile object type acquired by the nearby mobile object type acquiring unit, whether the position correcting process needs to be performed to the position information of the nearby mobile object. The position correcting process is performed to the position information of the nearby mobile object only when the correction performance determining unit determines that the position correcting process needs to be performed. Full Article
l PROACTIVE RE-ROUTING OF VEHICLES TO CONTROL TRAFFIC FLOW By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles to control traffic flow. Consistent with some embodiments, the navigation system seeks to reduce traffic flow along primary navigation routes (e.g., routes with relatively short travel times) by re-routing vehicles to alternative navigation routes (e.g., routes with relatively longer travel times) using incentives. As an example, upon detecting a vehicle traveling along an alternative route instead of a primary route, the navigation system updates a data structure that represents a user account of a vehicle occupant to reflect an increased account balance. Consistent with some embodiments, the amount of value provided to an occupant of a vehicle traveling along an alternative routes may be obtained from user accounts of occupants of other vehicles that are traveling along a primary route. Full Article
l METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR PERSONALIZED NAVIGATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and an electronic device for personalized navigation. The electronic device for personalized navigation acquire history data of a user, the history data comprising location information associated with active time of the user; plan a routine active path of the user according to the acquired history data; acquire navigation paths of the user; and classify the navigation paths into the routine active path and a non-routine active path according to the planned routine active path of the user, and provide navigation information to the user according to the classification result. Full Article
l PROACTIVE RE-ROUTING OF VEHICLES USING PASSIVE MONITORING OF OCCUPANT FRUSTRATION LEVEL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles based on an analysis of input component data obtained from the navigation-enabled devices. The navigation system scores the input component data to obtain a measure of frustration (e.g., a feeling of being upset or annoyed) of the user of the navigation-enabled device. The navigation system may provide a detour suggestion for display on the navigation-enabled device to persuade the user of the device to direct their vehicle to depart from its current location or route in an effort to remove the vehicle from traffic, and thereby reduce the frustration level of the user. The detour suggestion may include an alternative route to the original destination, or an alternative destination. Full Article
l Destination Information Provider Server, Destination Information Provider System and On-Vehicle Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A destination information provider server is disclosed. The destination information provider server is configured to obtain position information of an information providing target vehicle, recognize a target link, which corresponds to a link of a road on which the information providing target vehicle is traveling, based on the position information, and transmit destination information to the information providing target vehicle, the destination information being indicative of destinations of other vehicles which travel on the target link. Full Article
l INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination. Full Article
l REMOTELY CONTROLLED MOTILE DEVICE SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A remotely controlled motile device system comprises a remotely controlled motile device, and a mobile smart device that comprises a data processor operatively connected to a display screen, a memory, a user input interface, a camera, and a wireless transceiver. The memory stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the data processor, cause the mobile smart device to capture images of an optical reference background and the remotely controlled motile device, present the images on the display screen, register a target position relative to the optical reference background and entered via the user input interface, determine a pose of the remotely controlled motile device relative to the optical reference background, and transmit commands to the remotely controlled motile device to move to the target position. Full Article
l CONTROL OF SEMI-AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Semi-autonomous vehicle apparatus which is controlled by a plurality of control sources includes a vehicle which may function autonomously and apparatus for control of the vehicle by either an onboard driver or a driver not situated onboard. The vehicle may also be controlled by an off-vehicle computational device. Hierarchy setting apparatus determines which of the possible control entities take priority. Persons using the apparatus are identified by either a password or, preferably by providing identification based on a biologic feature. Management of impaired vehicle operators is provided for. Full Article
l SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED AERIAL SYSTEM OPERATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for controlling an aerial system with a rotor enclosed by a housing, including: operating the rotor in a flight mode, detecting a grab event indicative of the aerial system being grabbed, and automatically operating the rotor in a standby mode. A method for controlling an aerial system including a central axis extending normal to a lateral plane of the aerial system, including: generating a first aerodynamic force with a set of rotors enclosed by a housing, detecting that an acute angle between the central axis and a gravity vector is greater than a threshold angle, and operating each rotor of the set of rotors to cooperatively generate a second aerodynamic force less than the first aerodynamic force with the set of rotors. Full Article
l Navigating semi-autonomous mobile robots By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques for navigating semi-autonomous mobile robots are described. A semi-autonomous mobile robot moves within an environment to complete a task. A navigation server communicates with the robot and provides the robot information. The robot includes a navigation map of the environment, interaction information, and a security level. To complete the task, the robot transmits a route reservation request to the navigation server, the route reservation request including a priority for the task, a timeslot, and a route. The navigation server grants the route reservation if the task priority is higher than the task priorities of conflicting route reservation requests from other robots. As the robot moves within the environment, the robot detects an object and attempts to classify the detected object as belonging to an object category. The robot retrieves an interaction profile for the object, and interacts with the object according to the retrieved interaction profile. Full Article
l METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING SHARED COLLABORATIVE MAPS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described herein are methods and systems for generating shared collaborative maps for planting or harvesting operations. A method of generating a collaborative shared map between machines includes generating a first map for a first machine based on a first set of data and generating a second map for a second machine based on a second set of data. The method further includes generating at least one shared collaborative map for at least one of the first and second machines based on the first and second maps. Full Article
l VEHICLE DISPATCHING METHOD AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for dispatching a plurality of vehicles operating in a work area among a plurality of destination locations and a plurality of source locations includes implementing linear programming that takes in an optimization function and constraints to generate an optimum schedule for optimum production, utilizing a reinforcement learning algorithm that takes in the schedule as input and cycles through possible environmental states that could occur within the schedule by choosing one possible action for each possible environmental state and by observing the reward obtained by taking the action at each possible environmental state, developing a policy for each possible environmental state, and providing instructions to follow an action associated with the policy. Full Article
l AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION IN VIEW-OBSTRUCTED ENVIRONMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Arrangements related to operating an autonomous vehicle in view-obstructed environments are described. At least a portion of an external environment of the autonomous vehicle can be sensed to detect one or more objects located therein. An occupant viewable area of the external environment can be determined. It can be determined whether one or more of the detected one or more objects is located outside of the determined occupant viewable area. Responsive to determining that a detected object is located outside of the determined occupant viewable area, one or more actions can be taken. For instance, the action can include presenting an alert within the autonomous vehicle. Alternatively or in addition, the action can include causing a current driving action of the autonomous vehicle to be modified. Full Article
l Method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions applied to a perception mergence system of a vehicular computer in a vehicle. The method includes steps of: the vehicular computer receiving obstruction information of at least obstruction, image information corresponding to the obstruction information and vehicle body signals, and using a classifier to classify them; calculating a detection result of each range sensor to calculate a existence confidence; using the existence confidences and precision of the classifier to calculate a classification belief assignment of each range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; performing mergence calculation on the classification belief assignments to respectively quantify an obstruction classification confidence of all the range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; and performing a classification ineffectiveness filtering mechanism to exclude the obstruction whose obstruction classification confidence less than a predetermined value. The present invention quantifies the obstruction classification confidence to improve the classification precision. Full Article
l SYSTEM FOR PREEMPTIVELY NAVIGATING DRIVERS TO PASSENGERS BASED ON PASSENGER DEVICE ACTIVITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment information regarding device activity of first subscriber to a transportation service is received. A backend server determines independent of a pending transportation request from the first passenger and based at least on the information regarding the device activity of the first subscriber, to send a driver towards a location based on the location of the first subscriber. Full Article
l Car Wash With Integrated Vehicle Diagnostics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A car wash with integrated diagnostic functions is provided that includes the ability to wash and dry a connected vehicle and perform various diagnostic functions. The various diagnostic functions such as tread depth measurement, measuring tire pressures, performing safety inspection, emissions testing and performing vehicle diagnostics and the like may be performed while the connected vehicle is at the car wash. The results of the diagnostic tests may be provided to the driver at the end of the car wash via the driver's wireless computing device. Full Article
l SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IDENTIFY ENGAGEMENT OF VEHICLE AUTOMATION FUNCTIONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for monitoring operation of vehicle automation systems utilizes an electronic vehicle monitor configured to connect to a computer system of a vehicle via the on board diagnostics (“OBD”) port of the vehicle. The electronic vehicle monitor is configured to obtain operational status information of the activation or use of vehicle automation systems of the vehicle, such as of an automated braking system, automated acceleration system, automated steering system, automated vehicle navigation system, automated collision avoidance system, and an automated cruise control system. The electronic vehicle monitor transmits the obtained operational status information to a computing device, such as a mobile computer of a passenger or the vehicle driver, or to a remotely located computer. The electronic vehicle monitor may include a wireless transmitter, and may include a global positioning system module or be configured to obtain location information from a global positioning system of the vehicle Full Article
l SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE DECISION SUPPORT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of health management of a monitored system includes collecting component condition indicator data used to calculate a plurality of component health indicators. Component fault severity and potential failure modes are determined utilizing the component condition indicator data. The potential failure modes are ranked in order of likelihood to isolate the failure mode. A system of health management for monitored apparatus includes a fault severity module to derive a plurality of component health indicators from collected component condition indicator data, the plurality of component health indicators indicative of fault severity of a plurality of components. A fault isolation module separately derives a ranked listing of potential fault/failure modes utilizing the component condition indicator data. The system further includes a communication portion to which the plurality of component health indicators and the ranked listing of fault/failure modes are transmitted for review and/or action by cognizant personnel. Full Article
l Stability Control Sharing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system that receives and analyzes a connected vehicle's safety feature activation and the location of activation on a road to determine if a hazard condition exist and providing an alert on a subscriber's vehicle or wireless device. Weather information for the location of the activation, highway engineering information for the location of the activation and other connected vehicles' safety feature activation at the location are also considered in the determination if the hazardous condition exists on the road. The hazardous condition alert can also be sent to the highway transportation department so that the hazardous condition can be mitigated. Full Article
l METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR TRAFFIC LANE AND SIGNAL CONTROL IDENTIFICATION AND TRAFFIC FLOW MANAGEMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for traffic lane and traffic signal control identification and traffic flow management. Methods may identify traffic lights controlling lane movements, cataloging the information through analysis of traffic light signal phase and timing, and analyzing traffic movement through an intersection during specific periods of time. In particular, example methods may include identifying each of a plurality of paths through an intersection; identifying states of one or more traffic lights controlling traffic through the intersection; determining vehicle throughput data for the intersection through a predetermined number of cycles of the one or more traffic lights; and matching the vehicle throughput data to each of the plurality of paths of the intersection. The method may optionally include identifying times of movement and times of non-movement of vehicles across the intersection for each of the plurality of paths. Full Article
l TRAFFIC DISRUPTION DETECTION USING PASSIVE MONITORING OF VEHICLE OCCUPANT FRUSTRATION LEVEL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for detecting traffic disruption events based on an analysis of input component data obtained from navigation-enabled devices of vehicles near a particular location. Traffic disruption events are events such as accidents, construction road closures, police and speed traps, or road hazards that cause a decrease in the flow of traffic along a particular route and thus, added time delays for occupants of vehicles traveling along those routes. The navigation system scores the input component data associated with each vehicle and aggregates the scored input component data to obtain a frustration score associated with the vehicle. The navigation system may detect traffic disruption events based on a number of vehicles near a particular area having associated frustration scores above a certain threshold. Full Article
l COLLISION RISK CALCULATION DEVICE, COLLISION RISK DISPLAY DEVICE, AND VEHICLE BODY CONTROL DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A collision risk calculation device includes: a movement information obtaining unit that obtains a speed and a movement direction of an obstacle; and a risk map generator that generates a risk map indicating a range within which the obstacle can exist after one unit of time and degree of risk of collision of an own vehicle with the obstacle within the range, on a basis of the speed and the movement direction of the obstacle obtained by the movement information obtaining unit, wherein the risk map generator changes the range in left and right directions with respect to a traveling direction of the obstacle, on a basis of the speed of the obstacle in the traveling direction. Full Article
l ONBOARD VEHICLE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described herein is an onboard vehicle system configured to capture vehicle information and notify an operator of the onboard vehicle system of potentially dangerous vehicles. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system may capture image information related to its surroundings. The image information may be processed to identify one or more vehicle identifiers associated with vehicles in the vicinity of the onboard system. The onboard system may provide vehicle identifiers to a service provider computer, which may subsequently query one or more driver behavior databases for anomalous behavior related to the vehicle identifiers. Upon detecting anomalous behavior for a target vehicle, the service provider computer may generate one or more notifications to be presented to the operator of the onboard system with regard to the target vehicle. In some embodiments, the onboard system may present the notification to the operator in an audio and/or visual format. Full Article
l VEHICLE CONDITION DETECTION AND WARNING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described herein is a vehicle system configured to identify and mitigate inappropriate driving behavior. In some embodiments, the vehicle system may receive input information from one or more input sensors. The vehicle system may identify driving behaviors related to a vehicle from the received input. The vehicle system may determine whether the driving behaviors are inappropriate in light of one or more conditions affecting the vehicle. Upon identifying inappropriate behavior, the vehicle system may generate a set of corrective actions capable of being executed to mitigate the inappropriate driving behavior. Full Article
l METHOD TO DETERMINE AN EVASION TRAJECTORY FOR A VEHICLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for finding an evasive trajectory for avoiding an obstacle for a vehicle on a roadway. A component of a candidate trajectory parallel to the roadway is determined by selecting weighting coefficients of a first weighted sum of orthogonal functions of time. A component of the candidate trajectory orthogonal to the roadway is determined by selecting weighting coefficients of a second weighted sum of the orthogonal functions. An optimization parameter for the candidate trajectory is calculated. At least one coefficient of at least one of the sums is modified and the procedure is repeated when the optimization parameter does not reach a termination criterion. Full Article
l System To Identify A Vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system that provides a safety rating for a driver or a vehicle to a rider of the vehicle. Information including diagnostic information such as sensor information and location information is used to determine the safety rating. By having a high safety rating, the rider of the vehicle has some level of assurance that the vehicle will arrive at a designated location. Full Article
l SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HAILING VEHICLES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present application provides a system and method for enabling a driver to locate a passenger. In one or more implementations, a graphical user interface is provided that is operable to send and receive information associated with passengers and vehicles. A location of a first vehicle, a location of a first passenger and a location of a second passenger are received. Information associated with the locations of the first and second passenger is transmitted and a representation of at least one of the first passenger and the second passenger and the respective location thereof is provided. Full Article
l COMMUNICATION BETWEEN VEHICLES OF A PLATOON By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system and method are provided for communication between vehicles within a platoon of vehicles. In one embodiment, each vehicle is equipped with forward and backward directed optical emitters and receivers in operable communication with a controller. In an initialization phase, each vehicle determines its position within the platoon and the identification of all vehicles of the platoon. In a data transmission phase, each vehicle takes part in a token-based data transmission. Full Article
l OPEN ARCHITECTURE FOR FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for managing avionic data between a flight management system FMS and one or more clients, the FMS comprising resources accessible through avionic services Ci (1,n); the execution of the Ci (1,n) determining an avionic functionality Fj (1,m); each of the Fj (1,m) associated with an intrusiveness parameter Ik and a criticality parameter Ck; the method comprises the steps of receiving a request specifying the call to an Fj (1,m); and determining a predefined execution right for a Ci (1,n), dependent on the predefined intrusiveness and/or criticality parameters associated with the Fj (1,m). Developments describe particularly the comparison of the execution rights, notice of a rejection, various avionic services and functionalities, the management of criticality ranges, consideration of the flight context, etc. Software and system aspects are described (e.g. equipment of EFB type). Full Article
l AERIAL VEHICLE FLIGHT CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a flight control method for an aerial vehicle and a related device. The method may comprises receiving flight indication data under a current environment, the flight indication data including flight indication data detected by another aerial vehicle or provided by an external storage device; generating a flight control instruction according to the received flight indication data to control a flight of the aerial vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention may store and manage the flight indication data acquired by various aerial vehicles, so as to provide the support of related flight indication data to some requesting aerial vehicles, to enable the requesting aerial vehicles to perform operations such as obstacle avoidance, safe path planning and finding landing places based on the flight indication data. Full Article
l METHOD OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF A LANDING RUNWAY AXIS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The general field of the invention is that of methods of three-dimensional graphical representation of a landing runway on a viewing screen of an onboard viewing system for aircraft, the said graphical representation being displayed in a synthetic view of an exterior landscape. The graphical representation according to the invention comprises a line disposed along the axis of the runway, the said line being a straight stripe inclined by an angle of between one and a few degrees with respect to the horizontal, the said line beginning at the runway threshold. Full Article
l POSITIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL, POSITIVE ELECTRODE, BATTERY, BATTERY PACK, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, ELECTRIC VEHICLE, POWER STORAGE DEVICE, AND POWER SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A positive electrode active material includes: secondary particles obtained by aggregation of a plurality of primary particles. The primary particles include, core particles including a lithium composite oxide, and a layer that is provided on surfaces of the core particles and includes a lithium composite oxide. The lithium composite oxide included in the core particles and the lithium composite oxide included in the layer have the same composition or almost the same composition, and crystallinity of the lithium composite oxide included in the layer is lower than crystallinity of the lithium composite oxide included in the core particles. Full Article
l Spring powered vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a manually powered drive assembly for a vehicle. A foot crank winds a helical torsion spring through a system of shafts and sprockets in a first direction. By releasing a brake applied to a wheel, or wheels, of the vehicle, the wound spring transfers a rotational movement from a spring shaft to a freewheel sprocket coaxially aligned with the axle supporting a wheel, so that the rotational movement upon the wheel assists a user in manually moving the vehicle. The drive assembly may be advantageously used with a wheelbarrow to assist in building up momentum for moving heavy loads. Full Article
l Passive entry side door latch release system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. Full Article
l Toothbrush with manual powered movable brush head By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST This application includes a number of embodiments of a spring powered toothbrush for cleaning teeth. A wind-up spring is located in the base of the toothbrush which spring provides power for a gear train including a drive shaft assembly that is designed to bring about rapid movement of the brush portion of the toothbrush to aid in cleaning the teeth. The drive mechanism is controlled by a spring biased push button in the toothbrush housing. In one version the brush portion of the toothbrush includes a rotatable brush section that is gear driven by the drive shaft. In another version the upper portion of the toothbrush is vibrated by an offset weight connected to the drive shaft and in a third version the drive shaft includes an offset weight that acts to oscillate a movable brush section by intermittent engagement between the; weight and brush section. Full Article
l Pumping unit with variable work stroke and return stroke torque factor characteristics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT A pumping unit system having vertical sampson post, a walking beam pivotally supported at the upper end of the sampson post and a horsehead affixed at a forward end thereof that supports a reciprocated sucker rod string, including a gear reducer mounted at selectable positions on the walking beam and having a horizontally extending drive shaft, a crank arm affixed to the drive shaft the spacing between a selectable length pitman rod having a first end secured to said crank arm and a second end having a pitman bearing that is selectably mountable to a plurality of pitman bearing locations and a prime mover connected to the gear reducer and wherein the characteristics of the pumping unit are determined by the selectable position of the gear reducer, the selectable length of the crank arm, the selectable length of the pitman rod, and the selectable pitman bearing location. Full Article
l Luggage for cooperating with various portable devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT Luggage or carrying container (1) having an interface (10) for cooperating with one or more electronic and/or wireless devices (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), a rechargeable power source (30), an integrated antenna (40), and a wireless communication system (50). The luggage (1) allows a user to better manage various electronic devices/accessories in terms of space, efficiency and operation during travel. Full Article
l Mechanical rotational drive By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EDT A mechanical rotational drive has a bar-like torsion element, whereby the torsion element is firmly clamped with a first end in a bearing device. The torsion element can be pivoted with a second free end with respect to the clamped end about the longitudinal axis, forming a rotation axis, of the torsion element between a relaxed position and a tensioned position, whereby the length of the torsion element is reduced with respect to the relaxed position when the torsion element is brought into its tensioned position. A device for transmitting a torque into the torsion element or out of the torsion element is provided in the area of the free end, and a damping device is arranged in the axial direction of the torsion element at a fixed distance from the bearing device and adjacent to the free end of the torsion element, and a damping part is provided on the torsion element in the area of the free end of the torsion element, which damping part in the relaxed position is in friction engagement with the damping device and which in the tensioned position is not engaged with the damping device. Full Article
l Machine functioning on the principle of exploitation of centrifugal forces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT A machine for generating mechanical energy and functioning on the principle of exploitation of centrifugal forces of masses being displaced along a closed mechanical circuit over at least a curved section of the circuit. Optionally, the machines also functions on the principle of energy gain caused by masses falling under the influence of gravity in the closed circuit that is permanently maintained in a state of dynamic unbalance with an input, continuous or not, of external energy. Full Article
l Force amplifier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT A force amplifier has a guide track, a non-locking screw threadedly engaging the track to spirally move in response to an axial input force applied to the proximal end of the non-locking screw. The force amplifier includes a compliant component coupled to the non-locking screw by one end and to a self-locking screw by the other end. The compliant component is configured to transmit a torque generated by the non-locking screw to the self-locking screw, which is actuated to move spirally along the track while generating an axial output force greater than the input force. Full Article
l Spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST A spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider is disclosed and in one embodiment includes an axle operatively connected to a chain wheel and a first set of bearings via a gear assembly; a housing for mounting a shaft therein wherein the first set of bearings is provided at one end of the shaft; a second set of bearings provided at the other end of the shaft; a spring in the housing and having one end attached to one end of the shaft and the other end attached to the other end of the housing; and a clutch provided externally of the other end of the housing, the clutch being operatively connected to the second set of bearings and including a lock lever. The mechanism can store elastic force by counterclockwise pedaling and release the stored energy by disengaging a clutch from the mechanism when riding uphill. Full Article
l Hydraulic motor using buoyant and gravitational forces to generate kinetic energy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EDT A motor mounted on a structural support with a pivot at its center line which comprises a cylindrical vessel for holding a fluid in a closed system and in which a buoyant cylinder containing a lighter fluid is allowed to free float so that a cable attached to either end of the buoyant cylinder may be used to transfer energy to a energy storage unit, a crank or a generator. Two moment arms having a weight attached at the exterior end and inside attachably connected to the surface of two drive pistons that operate in pressure tanks which force a compressed gas against the pistons through pre-sequenced automatic activated valves to extend or retract the moment arms at the end of a cycle. The motor then becomes top heavy and rotates 180 degrees by gravity and relocks in place to repeat the cycle. Full Article