Producing a depth map from a monocular two-dimensional image
Granted: March 4, 2025
Patent Number:
12243260
A system for producing a depth map can include a processor and a memory. The memory can store a neural network. The neural network can include an encoding portion module, a multi-frame feature matching portion module, and a decoding portion module. The encoding portion module can include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to encode an image to produce single-frame features. The multi-frame feature matching portion module can include instructions that,…
Artificial muscles comprising an electrode pair and artificial muscle assemblies including same
Granted: March 4, 2025
Patent Number:
12241490
An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region, the electrode pair having a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The first and second electrodes each have two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. Each of the two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions and at…
Scroll electric compressor
Granted: March 4, 2025
Patent Number:
12241468
A scroll electric compressor includes a housing, a rotary shaft, an electric motor, a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll, a compression chamber, a discharge chamber, and an oil storage chamber. The housing has a discharge housing including an end wall, a first peripheral wall, a stepped portion, and a second peripheral wall. The fixed scroll has a flange in contact with the second peripheral wall. The stepped portion, the second peripheral wall, the flange, the outer peripheral wall…
Actuator with contracting member
Granted: March 4, 2025
Patent Number:
12241458
An actuator can include an outer body. At least a portion of the outer body can be configured to pivot. The actuator can include a contracting member, such as a shape memory material member. When an activation input is provided to the contracting member, the contracting member can contract. As a result, the actuator can be caused to morph into an activated configuration in which a dimension, such as the height, of the actuator increases.
Power generation device
Granted: March 4, 2025
Patent Number:
12241444
The power generation device disclosed in the present specification includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a differential device, and a generator. The first rotating body and the second rotating body convert energy of the fluid into rotational motion. The differential device is connected to the first rotating body via a first transmission path, and is connected to the second rotating body via a second transmission path, and combines and outputs the rotational motion of…
Monitoring a state of a shape memory material member
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234811
A state of a shape memory material member in an actuator can be monitored and controlled to protect the shape memory material member. When activated, the actuator can be configured to morph into an activated configuration in which a dimension (e.g., the height) of the actuator increases. A sensor configured to acquire sensor data. A portion of the shape memory material member can operatively engaging the sensor. One or more processors can be operatively connected to monitor a state of…
Method of testing hiding power of coating
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12235101
A method of testing the hiding power of a coating using a plurality of black-and-white hiding testing materials each having a black-and-white pattern includes: arranging the plurality of testing materials side by side spaced substantially equal to each other; applying the coating to the plurality of testing materials, altering the number of times of the coating for each testing material such that film thickness values of the plurality of testing materials is different stepwise; curing…
Ejection device
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234947
An ejection device includes an insertion portion that is held by an operator and inserted toward a relevant portion in a narrow space. The insertion portion includes an ejection unit that is a fluidic substance supply pipe of which distal end portion is closed. A side surface of the distal end portion of the ejection unit includes at least one fluidic substance ejection port that extends from an outer peripheral surface to an inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion and from…
Power transmission device
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234905
A power transmission device includes: a case including a first oil reservoir configured to be able to store oil, a second oil reservoir configured to be able to store the oil, and a partition wall configured to separate the first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir; the oil sealed in the case; a rotating member configured to be able to be in contact with the oil in the first oil reservoir; and an oil supplying unit configured to be able to supply the oil in the second oil…
Extension-retraction device
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234893
The extension-retraction device according to the present disclosure is an extension-retraction device in which a first belt and a second belt wound around the outside of the first belt are spirally wound around a tubular structure. The second belt includes an engaging pin having a fitting portion that fits into a hole of the first belt and an insertion portion that protrudes from the fitting portion and is inserted into the hole of the first belt. The fitting portion has a cylindrical…
Vehicle seat
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233758
Provided is a vehicle seat that can absorb energy with a link while maintaining engagement of gears in a lifting device. One embodiment of the present disclosure is the vehicle seat including a seat cushion, a cushion frame supporting the seat cushion, and the lifting device configured to raise and lower at least a portion of the seat cushion. The lifting device includes a pinion gear held by the cushion frame, a sector gear engaged with the pinion gear, and the link to which the sector…
Management system for internal combustion engine
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234788
Provided is a management system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a turbocharger, the management system including a first acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of decrease in efficiency of a compressor of the turbocharger, and an information generation unit configured to generate information about maintenance based on the amount of decrease in efficiency.
Control unit for engine system
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234783
A control unit for an engine system including an engine and a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, the control unit includes an engine control unit, a detection unit, a determination unit, and a stopping unit.
Lifting robots
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12234137
Robots for lifting objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot includes a rail system, a body structure coupled to the rail system, a first arm coupled to a first side of the body structure, one or more first arm actuators providing the first arm with multiple degrees of freedom, a second arm coupled to a second side of the body structure, one or more second arm actuators providing the second arm with multiple degrees of freedom, and a lift actuator operable to move the body…
Control device for vehicle
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233972
A control device for a vehicle includes a plurality of control circuits configured to control a control object by starting in response to powering-on of a vehicle and to perform power latch control for continuing to be supplied with electric power in a predetermined period in response to powering-off of the vehicle. Each of the control circuits is configured to perform starting after all of the control circuits have recognized the powering-on of the vehicle in a case where the vehicle is…
Steering system based on intended yaw rate during loss of traction
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233970
Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to steering a vehicle based on an intended yaw rate during loss of traction. In one arrangement, a method for steering a vehicle during loss of traction is disclosed. The method includes detecting a slipping tire of a vehicle losing traction with a road. The method also includes decoupling control of a pair of front tires of the vehicle by a steering wheel of the vehicle. The method also includes identifying an intended yaw…
Vehicle parking assist apparatus
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233909
A vehicle parking assist apparatus acquires and registers first information on a parking lot from a camera image when a vehicle stops by the parking lot. The vehicle parking assist apparatus acquires and registers second information on the parking lot from the camera image when completing parking the vehicle in the parking lot by a parking assist control. The vehicle parking assist apparatus acquires the information on the parking lot as current parking lot information from the camera…
Systems and methods for simulated rumble strips using fully actuating vehicle seat
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233899
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to generating a response of a vehicle to a virtual rumble strip. In one embodiment, a method includes determine that a virtual boundary corresponding to a real-world location in proximity of a vehicle has been crossed as the vehicle travels based upon first sensor data generated by the vehicle. The method further includes determine information about an environment of the vehicle as the virtual boundary is crossed based upon…
Vehicle action determination based on occupant characteristics
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233885
An example operation includes detecting, by a vehicle, a location of a first potential passenger proximate to a road; determining, by the vehicle, a first road safety level of a pick-up for the first potential passenger; denying, by the vehicle, the pick-up for the first potential passenger when the determined first road safety level is below a threshold; determining, by the vehicle, a second road safety level of a pick-up for a second potential passenger; and picking up, by the vehicle,…
Kinetic seat cushions for vehicles
Granted: February 25, 2025
Patent Number:
12233765
A kinetic seat cushion assembly that rotates based on a force applied on an occupant seated therein is provided. The kinetic seat cushion assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame, a seat cushion tilt mechanism coupling the secondary seat cushion frame to the primary seat cushion frame such that the secondary seat cushion frame is movable with respect to the primary seat cushion frame, and a front pivot mechanism that pivotally couples a front portion…
