vehicle Monorail vehicle apparatus with gravity-augmented contact load By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Apparatus and method for gravity-augmented preload of drive wheels in a monorail vehicle travelling along a guide rail bearing and contact surfaces that are non-parallel with the gravity vector. The vehicle has a structure defining a pivot location against the bearing surface, as well as first and second assemblies for engaging the rail on the bearing and contact surfaces, respectively. The vehicle is mounted so its center of gravity is at a rear longitudinal offset rrl from the pivot location and a vertical offset rvert from the guide rail. A force and moment balance thus created in a normal load on a drive wheel engaged with the bearing surface at the pivot location, where the load value exceeds a standard normal load generated by the mass of the monorail vehicle alone. Full Article
vehicle Monorail vehicle apparatus with gravity-controlled roll attitude and loading By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Monorail vehicle that travels on a non-featured rail with substantial profile variation and controls roll attitude, lateral location, and loading through judicious placement of the vehicle's center of gravity without using springs or suspensions. The vehicle has a bogie for engaging the non-featured rail so the center of gravity has a lateral offset r1 from the rail centerline to produce a roll moment Nr determined by vehicle's mass and value of r1. The center of gravity also has a vertical offset r2. The bogie uses first and second assemblies for engaging the rail to produce a pair of surface normal reaction forces to thus control roll attitude and loading by the placement of the center of gravity, thereby enabling accurate alignment of the monorail vehicle. Full Article
vehicle Vehicle with wheelchair positioning mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The vehicle with wheelchair positioning mechanism includes an automotive vehicle that is modified to assist a disabled person to enter, operate and exit the vehicle. The modification includes a wheelchair lift adjacent the rear of the vehicle. An internal rail system extends from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle adjacent the vehicle's driving controls. A remotely controlled platform is rotatably mounted on a carriage for movement on the rail system. The platform is adapted to support a wheelchair thereon. The platform can be rotated 360° so that the wheelchair moves forward when entering and exiting the vehicle. Full Article
vehicle Vehicle control device and vehicle control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A vehicle control system and a vehicle control device can switch control of a supporting device for support a drive of a vehicle between an ordinary travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that a power source for causing the vehicle to travel is operated and an inertia travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that an operation of the power source is stopped. Accordingly, since the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device switch the control of the supporting device between the ordinary travel and the inertia travel, the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device achieve an effect that the vehicle can be caused to appropriately travel by inertia. Full Article
vehicle Dynamic loading system for a ride vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A ride vehicle loading interface system to allow guests in wheelchairs to access a ride vehicle and enjoy a ride attraction. The loading interface system includes a plurality of associated ride vehicles moving on a track. At least one ride vehicle including a tray extendable from and retractable into the ride vehicle through an opening, the tray for receiving a wheelchair and for allowing the wheelchair to be positioned in the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle loading interface system including a loading platform moving at about the same rate as the ride vehicle during loading and unloading. Full Article
vehicle Model motor vehicle highway system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An elongated flexible open coil spring with spaced apart coils adapted to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars are positioned with their depending pins engaging the open coil spring to be carried around the track by a powered car held by and moving the open coil spring along the slot. Full Article
vehicle Bogie for guide rail type vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a bogie for a guide rail type vehicle that runs along a predetermined guideway. The bogie includes a turn frame connected to a vehicle body; an axle turnably mounted to the turn frame via bearings and; a guide frame mounted to the axle; a first pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body end side portion of the guide frame; a second pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body center side portion of the guide frame; a stopper provided so as to project from an upper surface on a vehicle body side of the axle toward the vehicle body; and a pair of stopper receivers arranged facing each other at intervals from the stopper in a vehicle lateral direction. Full Article
vehicle Rail guided vehicle system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rail guided vehicle system includes a rail that includes a first main rail, a second main rail, and a connection rail, and vehicles. Each vehicle includes a diverging roller supporting member that supports a pair of first and second diverging rollers such that the first and second diverging rollers shift, and a position stabilizing roller supporting member that supports position stabilizing rollers such that the position stabilizing rollers do not shift. The rail includes a first diverging guide configured to guide the first diverging roller, a second diverging guide configured to guide the second diverging roller, and a position stabilizing roller guide configured to guide the position stabilizing rollers in the no-guide zone where the diverging guide is absent. Full Article
vehicle Hybrid working vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hybrid working vehicle comprises an engine, a drive wheel, a power take-off (PTO) shaft, and a power transmission system for transmitting power from the engine to the drive wheel and the PTO shaft. The power transmission system is bifurcated at a bifurcating point into a traveling drive train for driving the drive wheel and a PTO drive train for driving the PTO shaft. A continuously variable transmission is provided on the traveling drive train, and a motor generator is provided on the power transmission system between the engine and the bifurcating point. The motor generator functions as a generator by power of the engine and functions as an electric motor for driving the power transmission system. The hybrid working vehicle includes a controller for controlling an output rotary speed of the motor generator functioning as the electric motor. Full Article
vehicle Vehicle sling bag rail system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle having a cargo area that includes an internal surface. A longitudinally extending bar is located within the cargo area of the vehicle. A bag configured to hang onto and slide along the longitudinally extending bar. A movable rail assembly is attached to the internal surface and includes: a rail moveable between extend and retract positions with respect to the cargo area; a bearing engageable with the rail to assist moving the rail between the extend and retract positions; and a bracket attachable to the bearing to suspend the bearing and the rail in the cargo area and away from the internal surface. Full Article
vehicle Apparatus for supplying washer liquid of vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus that supplies washer liquid of a vehicle, in which a washer liquid hose is inserted into a lower end of a pivot shaft by applying a check valve to the lower end of the pivot shaft. In addition, the washer liquid hose is inserted into the pivot shaft and a pipe, to secure a hose route during wiper operation. Full Article
vehicle Material spreader utilizing vehicle power and having operational wireless control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A material spreader assembly for the broadcast spreading of particulate material from the trailer hitch of a vehicle. A hopper for storing the particulate material is supported by a frame having a trailer hitch coupler for connection to the vehicle. A spreader including a spinner driven by an electric motor receives and disperses the particulate material. A control circuit receives electric current from the vehicle via a plug interface and a wiring harness and controls the operation of the spreader. A remote communicates user commands to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a motor control processor that controls a motor power relay and a motor driver to gradually ramp up the current supplied to the spreader for start up the spreader while preventing a high transient current draw spike. Component feedback sensors enable the motor control processor to provide an emergency shut off feature and warning signals. Full Article
vehicle Gasket for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gasket for a vehicle is configured to improve performance of a turbocharger according to enhanced sealing performance. The gasket is disposed at a coupling portion of a cylinder head of an engine and an exhaust manifold adapted to supply exhaust gas from the cylinder head to a turbocharger. Full Article
vehicle Saddle-ride type vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A saddle-ride type vehicle which includes catalyst devices in left and right exhaust flow passages can suppress effect of the catalyst devices on the reach to the ground even if the sizes of catalysts are large. The vehicle includes: exhaust flow passages connected to a multi-cylinder engine and disposed independently on left and right sides of a vehicle body; a first catalyst device provided in a middle of the left exhaust flow passage; a second catalyst device provided in a middle of the right exhaust flow passage; a swing arm pivotally supporting a rear wheel such that the rear wheel is swingable, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes silencers connected to portions of the exhaust flow passages downstream of the first catalyst device and the second catalyst device, and the first catalyst device and the second catalyst device are arranged side by side below the swing arm. Full Article
vehicle VEHICLE ACCESSORY POWER MANAGEMENT ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle accessory power management assembly has a power device, an accessory device, a power transmitting device and a controller. The power transmitting device has an input part coupled to the power device, an output part coupled to the accessory device, and a speed ratio switching part switchable between a first operating state in which the input part and the output part rotate at a first speed ratio relative to one another and a second operating state in which the input part and the output part rotate at a second speed ratio relative to one another. The controller is configured to switch the speed ratio switching part between the first operating state and the second operating state in response determining whether the speed of output of the power device is above a pre-determined value or below a pre-determined value. Full Article
vehicle System for non-pneumatic support of a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each spring is interwoven with at least one other spring thereby forming a toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the non-pneumatic tire. The toroidal structure is at least partially coated with an elastomer. One end portion of at least one spring is wrapped around a first bead structure adjacent a rim. Full Article
vehicle Tyre for two-wheeled vehicle and process for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A belt structure for a two-wheeled vehicle made by means of strip-like segments or elements, each including parallel cords embedded in an elastomeric layer, sequentially laid along the circumferential extension of a toroidal support so as to form a reinforcing layer having a continuous circumferential extension around a geometric rotation axis of the toroidal support, wherein each strip-like element is laid in a laying trajectory defining, at each point, a laying angle; at each point of the laying trajectory a laying gap is formed between adjacent strip-like elements; the laying trajectory is formed starting from preselected laying angles on the shoulder and on the crown of the tire; the laying gap between adjacent strip-like elements varies along at least one length of said laying trajectory between crown and shoulder so as to cause variation of the laying angle and obtain the preselected angles on the shoulder and on the crown. Full Article
vehicle Vehicle-carried air compressor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle-carried air compressor device includes a case installed with an air compressor therein, a tire repairing container containing a liquid adhesive, and a flexible linking tube. An air inlet coupler of the tire repairing container is connected with an air outlet manifold of the air compressor. An end of the flexible linking tube is coupled to an adhesive outlet coupler of the tire repairing container, and the other end of the flexible linking tube is provided with a protection adapter for coupling to a tire nipple. Before the protection adapter is connected with the tire nipple, the other end of the flexible linking tube is closed by the protection adapter, so that the liquid adhesive in the tire repairing container will not shoot out suddenly because of improper handling. Full Article
vehicle Undercut stone bumper structure for vehicle tire groove By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tire (10) having a tread (12) includes a plurality of laterally spaced, circumferentially extending continuous ribs (11) defining grooves (14). Each groove has oppositely facing sidewalls (20, 22) and a bottom surface (30). A first set of stone bumpers is provided with each stone bumper (18) projecting laterally from one of the sidewalls with an end (24) extending towards the other sidewall of the groove. A second set of stone bumpers is provided with each stone bumper (18') projecting from the other sidewall with an end (26) extending towards the one sidewall of the groove. Each stone bumper of the first and second sets of stone bumpers 1) is integral with the associated sidewall and with a portion of the bottom surface of the groove, and 2) includes a cutout (34) defining a surface that is spaced from and in opposing relation to the bottom surface of the groove. Full Article
vehicle Pneumatic tires for commercial vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire for a commercial vehicle with a tread, wherein at least the part of the tread which comes into contact with the road contains a sulphur-vulcanized rubber mixture. The sulphur-vulcanized rubber mixture contains 90 to 50 phr (parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight, of all of the rubbers in the mixture) of natural rubber, 10 to 50 phr of at least one polybutadiene having a glass transition temperature Tg of −110 to −65° C. and 5 to 50 phr of at least one aliphatic and/or aromatic hydrocarbon resin having a softening point (ring and ball to ASTM E 28) of 0 to 150° C., and a mean molecular weight Mn of less than 2000 g/mol and a polydispersity D=Mw/Mn of 1 to 5. Full Article
vehicle Heavy load pneumatic tire for construction vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Side lug rows are provided at both side regions of a tread surface and are formed by a plurality of lugs defined by lug grooves opening to edges in the tread width direction, and a central block row aligned on the tire equator and formed by a plurality of blocks is disposed between positions at ¼ of the tread surface width from the tire equator. The tire has a directional tread pattern, with a designated rotation direction, formed by circumferential grooves and width direction grooves that define the blocks of the central block row and are narrow grooves with a narrower groove width than the lug grooves. The distance from the tire equator to the groove wall in each of the circumferential grooves defining the blocks is set to be larger at a leading edge of each block than at a trailing edge of each block. Full Article
vehicle Opening apparatus for a door that has an outer panel, a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle door with such an opening apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A door (200) of a motor vehicle has an outer panel (100) and an opening apparatus. The opening apparatus has a door handle (30) and a door lock (20) with a lock barrel (10). The lock barrel (10) and the door handle (30) are arranged completely on the inner side of the outer panel (100) of the door (200). Full Article
vehicle Method for maintaining a door in a closed position on an over-the-road vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of preventing a first door on an over-the-road vehicle from moving from a closed position into an open position. The first door has a first latch assembly that cooperates with a second latch assembly to releasably maintain the first door in its closed position. One of the first and second latch assemblies is maintained in place by at least one fastener extended into a first opening. With the at least one fastener loosened, the first locking assembly is placed on one of: a) one of the doors; or b) the vehicle frame after which a fastener is tightened into the first opening to thereby: i) maintain one of the first and second latch assemblies in place and secure the operatively placed first locking assembly. With the first door in the closed position, a locking device can be connected to the first locking assembly and another part on the vehicle to thereby maintain the first door in the closed position. Full Article
vehicle Antitheft device for the steering column of a vehicle having super-lockout provided by a rocker arm By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an antitheft device (2) for the steering column of a vehicle, comprising: a locking portion (6) including a bolt for locking the steering column, and a mobile member (22) capable of controlling the locking-in-position of the bolt; and an access portion (4) including a latch and carrying a pivoting rocker arm (34) bearing against the mobile member (22) and against the locking portion (6). Full Article
vehicle Vehicle driving apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A rear wheel driving apparatus (1) includes: a first right-left communication passage (FP) through which a left reservoir (RL) and a right reservoir (RR) are communicated with each other; and a second right-left communication passage (SP) which is provided in parallel with the first right-left communication passage (FP) and through which the left reservoir (RL) and the right reservoir (RR) are communicated with each other. Thus, flowability of a liquid fluid stored in a case (11) is enhanced, and smoothing of a fluid level is enabled. Full Article
vehicle Oil supplying assembly for transmission of vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An oil supplying assembly for a transmission of a vehicle, which may supply oil to a clutch and a pulley of a transmission, may include a base member which is mounted to a transmission main body, and includes a first oil path supplying the oil to the clutch and an oil supply column which is integrally formed to the base member and of which a second oil path for supplying the oil to the pulley is formed thereto. Full Article
vehicle Lubrication device of power transmission device for hybrid vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubrication device for a hybrid vehicle power transmission device including a gear member, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor within a transaxle case, the lubrication device includes: a first pipe supplying oil forcibly transferred from an oil pump to the second electric motor; an oil passage branched from the first pipe; a first catch tank supplied with oil from the oil passage; a second pipe connected to the first catch tank to supply oil accumulated in the first catch tank to the first electric motor; an oil flow outlet disposed in the first catch tank and located above the second pipe; and a second catch tank disposed vertically beneath the first catch tank to receive oil outflowing from the oil flow outlet. Full Article
vehicle Mounting device, and method for mounting and dismounting a vehicle tire on a wheel rim By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A mounting device for mounting or dismounting a vehicle tire on a wheel rim, the wheel rim or the wheel being supported on a mounting table and a pressing-down device being provided for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim. A movement of the pressing-down device is essentially parallel to the wheel axis for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim or pulling off the vehicle tire from the wheel rim. Full Article
vehicle Machine for fitting and removing wheel tires for vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machine for fitting and removing wheel tires for vehicles includes a bearing structure, at least an apparatus for fastening and rotating the rim of a wheel for vehicles, a tool-carrier unit associated mobile with the bearing structure and having a removal tool, at least an adjustment apparatus suitable for adjusting the position of the tool-carrier unit with respect to the bearing structure, to place the tool-carrier unit into a work configuration wherein the removal tool is arranged in proximity of the apparatus for fastening and rotating, at least a memorisation device for memorising the position of the tool-carrier unit in the work configuration and at least a positioning device for positioning the tool-carrier unit with respect to the bearing structure between the work configuration and a configuration of minimum overall dimensions, wherein the tool-carrier unit is arranged in proximity of the bearing structure. Full Article
vehicle Apparatus for servicing vehicle wheels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Apparatus including a wheel balancing device and a tire changing device, comprising a spindle shaft for rotatably supporting a vehicle wheel or rim, unbalance measuring means operatively connected to the spindle shaft and having a spatial unbalance measuring area in which unbalance forces of the wheel or rim are detected, tire changer tools for assembling a tire onto a rim, spindle supporting means supporting the spindle shaft in a force acting range in which forces are created between the tire changer tools and the tire during the assembling or disassembling of the tire, tool supporting means supporting the tire changer tools within the force acting range which is arranged outside of the spatial unbalance measuring area, and drive means driving the spindle shaft with a rotational speed and torque adapted for assembling and disassembling the tire or for measuring unbalance forces of the wheel or rim. Full Article
vehicle Vehicle advertising system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Mobile signs/billboards designed to attach to the back end of a vehicle are disclosed comprising a mounting device that is mounted to the back end of a vehicle via the holes for fixing a license plate, and a sign or billboard supported by the mounting device. The signs are designed in a variety of shapes and sizes to provide a display for advertisement or personal messaging. The sign/billboard can be inserted or removed quickly from the mounting device. While the sign/billboard is supported by the mounting device at the back end of the vehicle, the license tag is affixed elsewhere on the mounting device for full viewing and lighting. The mounting device remains on the vehicle until easily removed whereupon the license plate can be reattached to the vehicle. The mounting device comprises an inner pocket for easy insertion and removal of signs and billboards. Lighting may be wired with the vehicle or use solar power or batteries to providing lighting for the sign/billboard. Full Article
vehicle Lighted signs for passenger vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lighted sign for a passenger vehicle includes a decal affixed to an exterior of a window and a lamp housing affixed to an interior surface of the vehicle window immediately opposite the decal. The lamp housing includes an electronics module that illuminates the decal only when the vehicle is moving and when there is insufficient exterior light to clearly see the exterior decal. The decal and design are removable and replaceable. Full Article
vehicle Apparatus for stitching vehicle interior components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for stitching an interior component is disclosed herein. The component having an outer skin layer and the apparatus is a single needle chain stitch machine with a rotary looper and wherein a needle of the apparatus descends through the interior component and a hook of the rotary looper engages a thread loop formed during retraction of the needle after it has descended through the interior component; and wherein the apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the interior component relative to the needle and looper to establish a stitch length. Full Article
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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
vehicle 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