Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080229729 | CONTROL STRATEGY FOR LEAN NOx TRAP REGENERATION - A method for controlling regeneration of a lean NOx trap includes estimating an accumulated NOx in the lean NOx trap; determining whether the estimated NOx exceeds a first threshold value or a second threshold value; estimating the temperature of the lean NOx trap; determining whether the estimated temperature exceeds a threshold temperature; determining a desired air-fuel ratio for initiating a regeneration event, the desired air-fuel ratio being determined based upon the estimated NOx and the estimated temperature of the lean NOx trap; hastening the occurrence of a regeneration event when the estimated NOx exceeds the first threshold value through active control of engine operating regimes; and initiating a regeneration event when the estimated NOx exceeds the second threshold value or when the estimated temperature exceeds the threshold temperature by forcing homogenous operation of the engine at the desired air-fuel ratio. | 09-25-2008 |
20090058367 | ADAPTIVE BATTERY ESTIMATOR AND METHOD - An adaptive battery estimation control system includes a fixed and adaptive battery estimators effective for a battery parameter estimations across a wide range of dynamic battery operational conditions. | 03-05-2009 |
20090120175 | FILTERING FOR ROUGH ROAD DETECTION - An engine misfire system comprises a rough road detection module and a misfire detection module. The rough road detection module selectively generates a rough road indicator based upon a transmission output speed of a vehicle. The misfire detection module selectively diagnoses engine misfire and selectively generates a misfire indicator based on diagnosed engine misfire and the rough road indicator. | 05-14-2009 |
20090259354 | ENERGY ECONOMY MODE USING PREVIEW INFORMATION - A method for improving energy efficient operation of a vehicle includes monitoring vehicle operating characteristics, modeling operation of the vehicle by utilizing the vehicle operating characteristics to estimate energy consumption rates of the vehicle across an allowable vehicle operating range, and generating a control output to the vehicle on the basis of the energy consumption rates. | 10-15-2009 |
20090268948 | PIXEL-BASED TEXTURE-RICH CLEAR PATH DETECTION - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images wherein each image comprises a plurality of pixels, identifying a set of interest points from the plurality of pixels in a current image, finding their corresponding points in a preceding image through correspondence matching, filtering the matched pairs of interest points to select a preferential set of matched pairs, generating a three dimensional map of features in the view based upon the preferential set of matched pairs, determining the clear path based upon the mapped features, and utilizing the clear path to operate the vehicle. | 10-29-2009 |
20090295917 | PIXEL-BASED TEXTURE-LESS CLEAR PATH DETECTION - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images wherein each image comprises a plurality of pixels, utilizing a texture-less processing scheme to analyze the images including filtering the image to separate portions of the image indicating a clear surface upon which a potential road surface can be estimated from other portions of the image that do not indicate a potential road surface. The clear path is determined based upon the clear surface and the clear path is utilized to operate the vehicle. | 12-03-2009 |
20090312889 | VEHICLE CONTROL USING STOCHASTIC INFORMATION - A method for operating a vehicle includes estimating expected states and probable ranges for influence factors associated with stochastic parameters over a time horizon. A preferred control state and a candidate control state for an objective function are determined. The objective function is controlled using the preferred control state for the objective function over the time horizon. | 12-17-2009 |
20100042277 | METHOD OF MANAGING POWER FLOW IN A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a powertrain system and a traffic sensing system. Power flow in the vehicle is managed by determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining traffic level information based on the present location and trajectory. A speed profile for the vehicle is predicted based upon the traffic level information of the vehicle and the powertrain is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon on the predicted speed profile. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042304 | METHOD OF MANAGING POWER FLOW IN A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a powertrain system having a non-combustion tractive power generating device and a positioning system. A method of managing power flow in the vehicle includes determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining a probability of vehicle braking at a predetermined location within the trajectory of the vehicle. The non-combustion tractive power generating device is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon the probability of vehicle braking at the predetermined location. | 02-18-2010 |
20100097456 | CLEAR PATH DETECTION USING A HIERACHICAL APPROACH - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle using an image generated by a camera includes monitoring the image, and utilizing a first patch-based analysis of the image including dividing the image into a plurality of patches, and analyzing each patch to determine a first clear path confidence likelihood for each of the patches of the first patch-based analysis. Each of the patches with the first clear path confidence likelihood greater than a first threshold confidence likelihood is defined as a clear path patch. A second analysis is utilized upon a portion of the patches with the first clear path confidence not greater than the first threshold confidence likelihood to determine a second clear path confidence likelihood for each of the patches of the second analysis. Each of the patches of the second analysis with the second clear path confidence likelihood greater than a second threshold confidence likelihood is defined as a clear path patch. The clear path of travel for the vehicle is identified based upon the clear path patches. | 04-22-2010 |
20100098290 | METHOD FOR DETECTING A CLEAR PATH THROUGH TOPOGRAPHICAL VARIATION ANALYSIS - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle wherein the detecting includes a fusion of a plurality of analyses including monitoring an image from a camera device includes analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, analyzing an area in front of the vehicle utilizing a topographical variation analysis to determine a flat surface upon which the vehicle can travel, combining the clear path of travel and the determined flat surface to describe an enhanced clear path of travel, and utilizing the enhanced clear path of travel to navigate the vehicle. | 04-22-2010 |
20100098295 | CLEAR PATH DETECTION THROUGH ROAD MODELING - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle including fusion of clear path detection by image analysis and road geometry data describing road geometry includes monitoring an image from a camera device on the vehicle, analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, monitoring the road geometry data, analyzing the road geometry data to determine an impact of the data to the clear path, modifying the clear path based upon the analysis of the road geometry data, and utilizing the clear path in navigation of the vehicle. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100268 | ENHANCED CLEAR PATH DETECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE INDICATOR - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images. The images are analyzed including determining a clear path upon which a potential road surface can be estimated from other portions of the images that do not indicate a potential road surface, and determining an image of a traffic infrastructure indication. The method further includes determining the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, modifying the clear path based upon the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, and utilizing the modified clear path in navigation of the vehicle. | 04-22-2010 |
20100104199 | METHOD FOR DETECTING A CLEAR PATH OF TRAVEL FOR A VEHICLE ENHANCED BY OBJECT DETECTION - Method for detecting a clear path of travel for a host vehicle including fusion of clear path detection by image analysis and detection of an object within an operating environment of the host vehicle including monitoring an image from a camera device, analyzing the image through clear path detection analysis to determine a clear path of travel within the image, monitoring sensor data describing the object, analyzing the sensor data to determine an impact of the object to the clear path, utilizing the determined impact of the object to describe an enhanced clear path of travel, and utilizing the enhanced clear path of travel to navigate the host vehicle. | 04-29-2010 |
20100201814 | CAMERA AUTO-CALIBRATION BY HORIZON ESTIMATION - A method for estimating the horizon in an image of a camera to provide camera auto-calibration in the pitch direction. The method includes taking an image of a scene and generating a texture map of the image using horizontal edge detection analysis to locate horizontal edges in the scene. The method also includes providing a motion map by providing image differencing between subsequent images to find areas in the scene with no motion while the vehicle is moving. The texture map and the motion map are combined to identify the areas in the image that do not move and contain horizontal edges. A horizontal projection is generated from the combined map by counting white dots in the map in the horizontal direction. The horizontal projection is smoothed to eliminate noise and the location of the horizon is estimated in the image by identifying the maximum peak in the horizontal projection. | 08-12-2010 |
20100258370 | VEHICLE WITH HYBRID POWERTRAIN - A hybrid vehicle is provided with an engine, as well as a transmission having a motor/generator, a stationary member, and a planetary gear set. The engine and the motor/generator are separately selectively connectable to one of the drive axle assemblies by engagement of different ones of the torque-transmitting mechanism to transfer torque to that drive axle assembly. One or both of the engine and the motor/generator is also selectively connectable to the other drive axle assembly by engagement of another one of the torque-transmitting mechanisms to transfer torque to the other of drive axle assembly. | 10-14-2010 |
20100276962 | ACTIVE FACE SHADE DETECTION IN AUTO SUN-SHADE SYSTEM - A method for identifying a sun-shade line on a vehicle driver's face so as to automatically position a sun blocker at the appropriate location to block the sun. The method includes generating subsequent images of the vehicle driver using a low cost camera and providing a difference image from the subsequent camera images to eliminate stationary parts of the image. The method then filters the difference image to enhance the expected motion from the controlled sun blocker and to remove the un-expected motion, which generates a filter response image that includes an identification of the movement of the sun-shade line from image to image. The method then applies a threshold to the filter response image to remove portions of the filter response image that do not exceed a predetermined intensity, and performs a Hough transform on the thresholded filter response image to identify the sun-shade line on the object. | 11-04-2010 |
20100326070 | ACTUATOR SYSTEM INCLUDING AN ACTIVE MATERIAL - A linear actuator associated with an actuator system for a device includes a wire cable fabricated from an active material. The linear actuator couples to the device and to the moveable element. The active material induces strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal. The linear actuator translates the moveable element relative to the device in response to the induced strain. An activation controller electrically connects to the linear actuator and generates the activation signal. A position feedback sensor monitors a position of the moveable element. | 12-30-2010 |
20100330894 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTIVE HATCH VENT - A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is open to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332151 | METHOD FOR OVERLOAD PROTECTION OF SMA DEVICE - A method for detecting a mechanical overload condition of an energized linear actuator to prevent commanding an activation signal to the linear actuator that may mechanically overload the linear actuator includes monitoring feedback variation of a movable element associated with the linear actuator including monitoring a present feedback signal of the movable element, monitoring a previous feedback signal of the movable element, comparing the present feedback signal and the previous feedback signal and determining the feedback variation based on the comparing. The feedback variation is compared to a feedback variation threshold. An input signal associated with the activation signal for controlling the linear actuator is monitored and the input signal compared to an input signal threshold. The electrical overload condition is detected when the feedback variation is less than the feedback variation threshold and the input signal is greater than the input signal threshold. | 12-30-2010 |
20110066358 | PATTERN RECOGNITION FOR RANDOM MISFIRE - A control system includes a jerk determination module and a misfire confirmation module. The jerk determination module determines a jerk of a crankshaft associated with a firing event in an engine. The misfire confirmation module selectively confirms that a misfire detected in the engine is valid based on the jerk. | 03-17-2011 |
20110071717 | HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE DEVICE FOR AN AUTONOMIC VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - An apparatus for generating autonomic control mode commands to an autonomic control system in a vehicle to execute an autonomic vehicle maneuver in response to an operator command includes a control module signally connected to the autonomic control system and an input device. The input device is manipulated by an operator to transition among operator command positions and configured to generate signal outputs monitored by the control module indicating the operator command positions including a neutral position, a detent position and an extended detent position. The input device further includes a reset state corresponding to the neutral position and monitored by the control module, an initiation state corresponding to the extended detent position and monitored by the control module, and a command state corresponding to the detent position and monitored by the control module. | 03-24-2011 |
20110096165 | AUTOMATIC CAMERA CALIBRATION USING GPS AND SOLAR TRACKING - A system and method for automatically calibrating the aiming direction of a camera onboard a vehicle. The method uses GPS and solar almanac data to estimate the location of the sun relative to the vehicle, and compares this to the solar position in an image from the camera. The comparison is performed with an ongoing recursive calculation which yields an improved estimate of the sun position relative to the vehicle, while simultaneously calibrating the aiming direction of the camera. The aiming calibration data is used to improve the accuracy of the camera's images as used for all of the camera's other functions. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098894 | AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER FOR POWERED RETRACTABLE SUN VISOR - A system and method for controlling a vehicle sun visor that uses commonly existing onboard sensors and systems to provide all necessary inputs. The method uses GPS and solar almanac data to determine the location of the sun relative to the vehicle, driver side view mirror angle data to determine the position of the driver's eyes within the vehicle, and an existing outside light metering device to determine whether the sun is actually shining on the vehicle, and uses this information to calculate the optimum position of the sun visor. If a forward-looking camera is available on the vehicle, camera images can be used to improve the estimate of the sun position relative to the vehicle. | 04-28-2011 |
20110304444 | PORTABLE VISION SYSTEM - A method and system for integrating a camera-equipped handheld mobile device with a vehicle's electronic systems, such that the imaging capabilities of the mobile device can be utilized by the vehicle, and information from vehicle's systems can be utilized by the mobile device. The mobile device is placed in a mounting fixture, which can provide power to the mobile device, and is designed to dynamically aim the mobile device's camera based on driving conditions. The mobile device can communicate with the vehicle's systems wirelessly, or via a wired connection. Images from the mobile device's camera are provided to a processor onboard the vehicle, and can be used by vehicle safety and convenience systems. The mobile device can also receive information from the vehicle and use the information in applications on the mobile device. Computing workload can be shared between the vehicle's processor and the mobile device. | 12-15-2011 |
20120181854 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC POWER MANAGEMENT IN A VEHICLE - An on-vehicle DC/DC converter transforms high-voltage electric power originating from an on-vehicle high-voltage source to low-voltage electric power at a regulated voltage level. The low-voltage electric power is distributed by a low-voltage bus. A method for operating the DC/DC converter includes monitoring a state of charge and a temperature of a low-voltage battery connected to the low-voltage bus, setting a DC/DC converter command to a nominal voltage level as a function of the state of charge and temperature of the low-voltage battery, monitoring a total low-voltage electric load, and adjusting the DC/DC converter command to a minimum low-voltage reference voltage when the vehicle is operating below a predetermined speed and the total low-voltage electric load is greater than a predetermined load. | 07-19-2012 |
20120296553 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A STUCK FUEL INJECTOR - A control system for an engine is presented. The control system can include a transition period waveform monitor module, a stuck fuel injector detection module, and a fuel injection control module. The transition period waveform monitor module measures an electrical signal of a fuel injector upon deactivation of the fuel injector. The stuck fuel injector detection module detects a stuck fuel injector when an accumulated deviation of the electrical signal from a parameterized estimated reference waveform is outside of a predetermined range. The fuel injection control module controls fuel injection in the engine based on the detection of the stuck fuel injector. | 11-22-2012 |
20120306424 | ELECTRIC DRIVE WITH ELECTRONICALLY SCALABLE RECONFIGURABLE WINDING - A stator phase circuit for an electric machine includes a phase winding circuit including a plurality of series coupled sub-winding circuits, each sub-winding circuit includes a respective sub-winding coupled in parallel across a respective first controllable switch. | 12-06-2012 |
20130113935 | ACTIVE VISION SYSTEM WITH SUBLIMINALLY STEERED AND MODULATED LIGHTING - An active vision system includes an image capture device for capturing images in a region exterior of a vehicle and a headlamp control unit for controlling a vehicle headlamp beam for illuminating an environment exterior of a vehicle. The headlamp control unit is configured to selectively illuminate between making a path of travel of a road visible to a driver of the vehicle and making the region exterior of the vehicle visible for capturing images by the image capture device. The headlamp control unit utilizes a duty cycle for controlling a first cycle time that the headlamp beam illuminates the path of travel for making the road visible to the driver and for controlling a second cycle time that the headlamp beam makes the captured region visible for capturing images by the image capture device. | 05-09-2013 |
20140053804 | CYLINDER ACTIVATION AND DEACTIVATION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A ranking module determines N ranking values for N predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation sequences of an engine, respectively. N is an integer greater than or equal to two. A cylinder control module, based on the N ranking values, selects one of the N predetermined cylinder activation/deactivation sequences as a desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence for cylinders of the engine. The cylinder control module also: activates opening of intake and exhaust valves of first ones of the cylinders that are to be activated based on the desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence; and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of second ones of the cylinders that are to be deactivated based on the desired cylinder activation/deactivation sequence. A fuel control module provides fuel to the first ones of the cylinders and disables fueling to the second ones of the cylinders. | 02-27-2014 |
20140053805 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SPARK TIMING WHEN CYLINDERS OF AN ENGINE ARE DEACTIVATED TO REDUCE NOISE AND VIBRATION - A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cylinder activation module and a spark timing module. The cylinder activation module selectively deactivates and reactivates a cylinder of an engine based on a driver torque request. When the cylinder is deactivated, the spark timing module selectively increases an amount by which spark timing of at least one active cylinder of the engine is retarded based on noise and vibration generated by the engine when the cylinder is deactivated. | 02-27-2014 |
20140236463 | ENHANCED CLEAR PATH DETECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE INDICATOR - A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing analysis of a plurality of images generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the images. The images are analyzed including determining a clear path upon which a potential road surface can be estimated from other portions of the images that do not indicate a potential road surface, and determining an image of a traffic infrastructure indication. The method further includes determining the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, modifying the clear path based upon the content of the traffic infrastructure indication, and utilizing the modified clear path in navigation of the vehicle. | 08-21-2014 |
20140251242 | ENGINE VALVE POSITION SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A vehicle system includes a position sensor, a current supply module, and a mode indicator module. The position sensor includes: an electromagnet (EM) that generates a magnetic field proximate to one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an engine; and a Hall-effect sensor that generates a position signal indicating a position of the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve based on the magnetic field. The current supply module supplies current to the EM. The mode indicator module indicates whether the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve is being actuated in a low lift mode or a high lift mode based on the position signal. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257673 | EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A fuel control system of a vehicle includes an injection control module and a command module. The injection control module determines a first target amount of fuel for a combustion event of an engine. A command module selectively command the injection control module to provide two fuel injections when a torque request decreases. In response to the command, the injection control module: determines second and third target amounts of fuel based on the first target amount; provides a first fuel injection during the combustion event based on the second target amount; and provides a second fuel injection during a compression stroke of the combustion event based on the third target amount. | 09-11-2014 |
20140349560 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTIVE HATCH VENT - A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch. | 11-27-2014 |