Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Higgins
Christopher M. Higgins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160154040Abstract: Determination of electrical network topology and connectivity are described herein. A zero-crossing is indicated at a time when the line voltage of a conducting wire in an electrical grid is zero. Such zero-crossings may be used to measure time within a smart grid, and to determine the connectivity of, and the electrical phase used by, particular network elements. A first meter may receive a phase angle determination (PAD) message, including zero-crossing information, sent from a second meter, hereafter called a reference meter. The first meter may compare the received zero-crossing information to its own zero-crossing information. A phase difference may be determined between the first meter and the reference meter from which the PAD message originated. The first meter may pass the PAD message to additional meters, which propagate the message through the network. Accordingly, an electrical phase used by meters within the network may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Timothy James Driscoll, Hartman Van Wyk, Robert C. Sonderegger, Christopher M. Higgins
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Publication number: 20160144695Abstract: Systems for altering vehicle functions are provided. A system for altering a vehicle function includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions may cause the system to determine a presence of a roof mounted article on a vehicle and disable at least one movable roof member function in response to the determination. In some embodiments, in response to determining that the vehicle is proximate a structure and determining the presence of the vehicle mounted article on the vehicle, the system may generate a notification pertaining to the vehicle mounted article. In some embodiments, the system may provide navigation assistance based on the determination that the vehicle mounted article is present on the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher M. Higgins
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Publication number: 20160039332Abstract: Vehicle headlight leveling methods and systems provide occupants of a vehicle the ability to manually adjust headlight level in an efficient and intuitive manner. In some embodiments, a user may supply a current vehicle loading condition to an input such as a vehicle information or entertainment system. The system may determine a headlight level setting based on the received loading condition using an in-vehicle processor and/or memory. A signal indicative of the headlight level setting may be sent to a headlight leveling device to change the orientation of the vehicle headlight in relation to the body of the vehicle. Some embodiments may prompt a user to input a vehicle loading condition if the vehicle recognizes changed vehicle characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Christopher M. Higgins, Christopher G. Grant
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Patent number: 9243440Abstract: Systems for altering vehicle functions are provided. A system for altering a vehicle function includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions may cause the system to determine a presence of a roof mounted article on a vehicle and disable at least one movable roof member function in response to the determination. In some embodiments, in response to determining that the vehicle is proximate a structure and determining the presence of the vehicle mounted article on the vehicle, the system may generate a notification pertaining to the vehicle mounted article. In some embodiments, the system may provide navigation assistance based on the determination that the vehicle mounted article is present on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher M. Higgins
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Patent number: 9074402Abstract: Obstacle detection for a sliding door of a vehicle including a sensor apparatus located on or near a hinge of the sliding door and arranged to detect an obstacle in a path of the hinge of the sliding door. A controller connected to the sensor apparatus is configured to receive an obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicating detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Higgins, Jay L. Sackett
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Patent number: 8789225Abstract: Apparatus, devices, methods and systems corresponding to one or more embodiments relating to a jack handle for operation of a vehicle jack is described herein. In one embodiment, a two-piece jack is described. A first piece may include a handle and a first interlock portion. A second piece may include a jack mating portion, a second interlock portion for engagement with the first interlock portion of the first piece and a stopper for preventing the first piece and second piece from becoming disengaged during operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Chad E. Anderson, Jay L. Sackett, Masaaki Tanaka, Christian A. Trager, Christopher M. Higgins
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Publication number: 20130292955Abstract: Obstacle detection for a sliding door of a vehicle including a sensor apparatus located on or near a hinge of the sliding door and arranged to detect an obstacle in a path of the hinge of the sliding door. A controller connected to the sensor apparatus is configured to receive an obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicating detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Higgins, Jay L. Sackett
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Patent number: 8398148Abstract: A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Daisuke Teramoto, Kazuhiro Fukazawa, David L. Minock, Christopher M. Higgins, Nathaniel P. Jordan, Jessica A. Riffe
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Patent number: 8312103Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for controlling the allocation of system nodes to a variable number of communication servers in an Advanced Metering System (AMS). An Orchestration Manager is provided through which all requests for end-device communications are routed. The Orchestration Manager periodically rebalances node assignments to reallocate nodes among communication servers in order to maintain data collection efficiency and in order to redistribute end devices from a failed communication server, or to otherwise adjust for the addition of a newly activated communication server.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Itron, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Holbrook, Christopher M. Higgins
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Patent number: 8235451Abstract: A method and system for deforming a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod deformation member. The drive rod deformation member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod deformation member impacts and deforms the drive rod. The deformation of the drive rod can correspond to a compression of the door and the door can be opened by actuating the door handle. However, the deformation of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker through compression of the door.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel P. Jordan, Christopher M. Higgins, Jessica A. Riffe
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Publication number: 20120192494Abstract: A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other means of disengagement. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Daisuke Teramoto, Kazuhiro Fukazawa, David L. Minock, Christopher M. Higgins, Nathaniel P. Jordan, Jessica A. Riffe
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Publication number: 20120186045Abstract: Apparatus, devices, methods and systems corresponding to one or more embodiments relating to a jack handle for operation of a vehicle jack is described herein. In one embodiment, a two-piece jack is described. A first piece may include a handle and a first interlock portion. A second piece may include a jack mating portion, a second interlock portion for engagement with the first interlock portion of the first piece and a stopper for preventing the first piece and second piece from becoming disengaged during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Chad E. Anderson, Jay L. Sackett, Masaaki Tanaka, Christian A. Trager, Christopher M. Higgins
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Patent number: 8128151Abstract: A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Daisuke Teramoto, Kazuhiro Fukazawa, David L. Minock, Christopher M. Higgins, Nathaniel P. Jordan, Jessica A. Riffe
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Patent number: 8079631Abstract: A method and system for guiding a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod guiding member. The drive rod guiding member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod can be disengaged from the door handle or the latching system. The drive rod guiding member guides the drive rod away from the door handle or the latching system. By guiding the drive rod away the door handle or the latching system, the drive rod guiding member can prevent the drive rod from re-engaging with the door handle or the latching system. This maintains the door in the closed position instead of the open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Higgins, Nathaniel P. Jordan, Jessica A. Riffe
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Publication number: 20110115251Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for deforming a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. The present invention can include an automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod deformation member. The drive rod deformation member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod deformation member impacts and deforms the drive rod. The deformation of the drive rod can correspond to a compression of the door and the door can be opened by actuating the door handle. However, the deformation of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker through compression of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGNEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Nathaniel P. Jordan, Christopher M. Higgins, Jessica A. Riffe
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Publication number: 20110115252Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for guiding a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. The present invention includes an automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod guiding member. The drive rod guiding member can be positioned adjacent to the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod can be disengaged from the door handle or the latching system. The drive rod guiding member guides the drive rod away from the door handle or the latching system. By guiding the drive rod away the door handle or the latching system, the drive rod guiding member can prevent the drive rod from re-engaging with the door handle or the latching system. This maintains the door in the closed position instead of the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Christopher M. Higgins, Nathaniel P. Jordan, Jessica A. Riffe
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Publication number: 20110062747Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. The present invention includes an automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or any other means. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Daisuke Teramoto, Kazuhiro Fukazawa, David L. Minock, Christopher M. Higgins, Nathaniel P. Jordan, Jessica A. Riffe