Patents Examined by Wae Lenny Louie
  • Patent number: 7274988
    Abstract: A vehicular driving support apparatus capable of causing a host vehicle to perform a following run with respect to a specific vehicle selected as a followed vehicle determines the possibility of intersection between the host vehicle and another vehicle, and stops the following run if the possibility of intersection becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 7272475
    Abstract: A method for updating vehicle diagnostics software via a telematics unit is based on the occurrence of a service event as detected by the telematics unit. Upon the connection of a vehicle diagnostics device to a vehicle, the telematics unit receives a scan tool configuration data and a vehicle code. The determination whether the scan tool configuration is current based on the vehicle code is made at the telematics unit. Based on the determination, the call center sends an updated scan tool configuration data to the telematics unit. The telematics unit offers the updated scan tool configuration data to the vehicle diagnostics device for reprogramming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gawlik, Michael G. Zambo
  • Patent number: 7269487
    Abstract: In the state that a train moves from a track circuit 3T toward a track circuit 5T, and a train detection signal TD1 is supplied from the boundary between the track circuits 3T and 5T to the track circuits 3T and 5T, and the train detection signal TD1 is received by the train, if the signal intensity is suddenly reduced greatly immediately after the axle of the train passes the boundary between the track circuits 3T and 5T, it can be decided that the train passes the boundary between the track circuits 3T and 5T. Therefore, if absolute position information of the track circuit 5T is preserved beforehand in the train, the movement distance calculated from pulse output of a speed generator is corrected (replaced) in the absolute position information of the track circuit 5T, and hereafter is updated by the pulse output, thus the position of the own train can be easily detected as a movement distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Watanabe, Kenji Oguma, Noriharu Amiya
  • Patent number: 7266450
    Abstract: A method of navigating a vehicle includes determining a route. At least one probable off-route condition is determined based on the route. Digital map information is transmitted based on the determination of the at least one probable off-route condition from a call center to a vehicle telematics unit via a wireless connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Mark J. Glaza
  • Patent number: 7243016
    Abstract: A control system and method for communicating with a transmission includes a transmission input speed sensor that generates an input speed signal. A transmission output speed sensor generates an output speed signal. A power supply supplies a total current to the transmission input and output speed sensors via a first conductor. A sensor senses the total current supplied to the transmission input and output speed sensors on the first conductor. A calculating module calculates a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed based on the total current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jack P. Koski
  • Patent number: 7236869
    Abstract: A torque prediction module for an automatic transmission system includes a throttle-based torque prediction module. The throttle-based torque prediction module determines a first predicted torque of an engine in a vehicle that is based on a position of a throttle, an ambient air pressure, an intake temperature, and an engine speed. A torque offset module determines a torque offset that is based on the first predicted torque and a second predicted torque of the engine that is based on a mass airflow in an intake manifold of the engine. A blended torque module determines a third predicted torque of the engine that is based on the torque offset and the second predicted torque. A line pressure control module adjusts a line pressure of the automatic transmission based on the third predicted torque. An ECCC control module adjusts an amount of slip in an ECCC based on the third predicted torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie M. Buckley, Amanda P. Wilson, David W. Wright
  • Patent number: 7188009
    Abstract: A method of controlling a train for a crew change and includes collecting information on the train including weight and length of the train, special weight distribution, number and location of cars with cut-out or inoperative brakes, status of dynamic brakes on all locomotives, if brake test is required, and prior train brake problems. The information is stored as a report and displayed at a crew change. The train is disabled until the crew has accepted the report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Hawthorne