Patents Assigned to Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
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Patent number: 11016642Abstract: A user interface for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle includes a rectangular display screen and a rotatable ring having a central circular viewing window through which the display screen is visible. The rotatable ring includes a plurality of rotational positions relative to the display screen. An optical switch is disposed between the rotatable ring and the display screen and detects the rotational position of the rotatable ring. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the display screen and to the optical switch. The electronic processor controls an image presented on the display screen dependent upon the rotatable position of the rotatable ring as detected by the optical switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Sachiyo Zuehlke
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Patent number: 10989917Abstract: A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a head up display module having a picture generation unit emitting a light field. A plurality of linear polarizers are arranged in a stack. A first of the linear polarizers receives the light field from the picture generation unit. A last of the linear polarizers emits the light field. A windshield reflects the light field from the last linear polarizer such that the reflected light field is visible to a human driver of the motor vehicle as a virtual image.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: David Kay Lambert, Steven Craig Bower
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Patent number: 10986478Abstract: On-hoard equipment in a motor vehicle includes a C-V2X communication device receiving a first signal from road side equipment having a known position. The C-V2X communication device transmits a second signal having content that is dependent upon a length of time in which the first signal traveled from the road side equipment to the C-V2X communication device. A GPS device is communicatively coupled to the C-V2X communication device and receives the second signal from the C-V2X communication device. The GPS device estimates a position of the vehicle. The estimating is dependent upon the second signal from the C-V2X communication device.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Sameh Willliam Tawadrous, Hans A. Troemel, Jr.
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Patent number: 10980104Abstract: A power amplifier arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a printed circuit board disposed between a housing on a first side of the printed circuit board and a heat sink on a second side of the printed circuit board. A power amplifier is mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board. A bracket is supported by the housing. A clamping spring is supported by the bracket such that the clamping spring is in biased engagement with the first side of the printed circuit board, and such that the power amplifier is pressed into engagement with the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Gerald A. Tang-Kong
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Patent number: 10946740Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a plurality of seats. Each seat receives a respective human occupant of the motor vehicle. A movable driver control interface enables a human occupant to drive the motor vehicle. A positioning mechanism is coupled to the driver control interface and enables a human occupant to move the driver control interface to a position in front of any one of the seats such that any one of the human occupants may use the driver control interface to drive the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Benjamin David Sweet, Padmanaban Kanagaraj
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Patent number: 10938335Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a device, method, and medium storing instructions for execution by a processor for estimating motor winding temperature. In an example, a device for estimating motor winding temperature includes a motor shaft and a motor winding. The device may include a current sense resistor to detect the current passing through a common wiring. The device may include a digital to analog converter to convert an input voltage to an analog signal for comparison to the voltage and to generate a differential voltage using the signals received from the current sense resistor and an initial voltage supplied to the motor winding. The device may include a processor to use the differential voltage and a current input value to calculate a resistance of the motor winding from comparison to a temperature conversion curve.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Gordon Ray Miller
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Patent number: 10912135Abstract: A server device includes a memory and processor. A vehicle identification number (VIN) is stored in the memory. The VIN is associated with connection information for a vehicle associated with the VIN. The processor executes A VIN matcher stored in the memory, and denies a request for connection information in response to a mismatch between a supplied VIN from a connecting device and the VIN stored in memory. The processor executes a network connector stored in the memory, and sends connection information to a connecting device in response to a match between the supplied VIN from the connecting device and the VIN stored in memory. The connection information is sent through the network connection using a first communication protocol and contains information for the connecting device to connect to the vehicle through direct pairing using a second communication protocol.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Jeffrey Michael Zellen, Matthew Bourdua, Janardhan Thodeti
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Patent number: 10884249Abstract: A head up display arrangement is for a motor vehicle having a human occupant. A light source emits a light field. An infrared camera detects infrared energy. A combiner is positioned and configured to reflect the light field such that the light field can be viewed by the human occupant as a virtual image. The combiner has a region configured to reflect infra-red energy emitted by a face of the occupant such that the infrared energy is received by the infrared camera.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: David Kay Lambert, Walter Joseph Nill
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Patent number: 10836324Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a window and a body having a storage space with an opening facing toward the window. A flexible electronic display is movable from a first position overlying the window and a second position within the storage space. The window may be a windshield, and the storage space may be within a roof of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Jin Woo Jung
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Patent number: 10732420Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a head up display projector producing a light field based upon image data such that the light field is reflected off of a windshield of the motor vehicle and is then visible to a driver of the motor vehicle as a virtual image. First means determines locations of physical objects visible to the driver through the windshield. Second means determines locations of eyes of the driver. An electronic processor receives first data indicative of the determined locations of the physical objects, and receives second data indicative of the determined locations of the eyes of the driver. The electronic processor produces the image data dependent upon the first data and the second data such that a symbol in the virtual image appears to be in a predetermined position relative to a selected one of the physical objects.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: David Kay Lambert, Walter Joseph Nill
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Patent number: 10730450Abstract: A vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of a road sign associated with a road that the vehicle is traveling on. A first processing device is communicatively coupled to the camera and recognizes text characters in the captured image. A second processing device is communicatively coupled to the first processing device and converts the recognized text characters into an electronic speech signal. A loudspeaker is communicatively coupled to the second processing device and converts the electronic speech signal into audible speech that can be heard by the driver of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Katherine Wilbert, Maria Rohrer, Garrett Laskowski, John Qiu, Padmanaban Kanagaraj
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Patent number: 10735928Abstract: A wireless connectivity arrangement for an infotainment system of a motor vehicle includes a user profile manager storing associations between users of the motor vehicle and respective personal electronic devices. A wireless connection manager is communicatively coupled to the user profile manager. The wireless connection manager detects that a personal electronic device is in a vicinity of the vehicle, and refers to the user profile manager to determine whether the personal electronic device is a primary personal electronic device of a current user of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Shaheer-Ahmed Shaikh, Annamalai Paramasivam
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Publication number: 20200142191Abstract: A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a picture generation unit producing a light field. A mirror reflects the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image. A mirror holder has two opposite ends and an activation feature. The two opposite ends are aligned alone a rotational axis of the mirror. The mirror holder retains the mirror. Each of two bushings is coupled to a respective opposite end of the mirror holder. A calibration switch has minimum proximity to the activation feature of the mirror holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: FIDELIS ITSEDE, JOHN AUSTIN, DUANE LUCERO
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Patent number: 10611329Abstract: A loudspeaker arrangement in a motor vehicle includes a collision sensor transmitting a collision signal in response to detecting that the motor vehicle has been in a collision. An audio system transmits an audio signal. A loudspeaker includes an air bag connected thereto. The loudspeaker is coupled to the audio system and produces audible sounds based on the audio signal. The air bag is coupled to the collision sensor and is activated in response to the collision sensor transmitting the collision signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Katherine Jennette Freund
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Patent number: 10596970Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a rearview mirror display system with a visible surface and having a mirror mode and a display mode. The visible surface functions as a mirror in the mirror mode. The visible surface displays an electronically produced image in the display mode. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the rearview mirror display system. The electronic processor detects that the display mode is not operating properly, and, in response to the detecting, automatically switches the rearview mirror display system from the display mode to the mirror mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Padhu Kanagaraj, Stephanie Tuttle, Rachel Anderson
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Patent number: 10592401Abstract: A method of validating a design for a graphical user interface of a motor vehicle includes creating a tentative design, and/or a few drafts or prototype for the graphical user interface. A blurred version of the tentative graphical user interface design is produced. The blurred version of the tentative graphical user interface design is tested for readability and whether the overall GUI design is suited to be perceived at a glance. If it is determined that the blurred version of the tentative graphical user interface design is not readable or understandable, then the graphical user interface is redesigned and the producing and testing steps are repeated for the redesigned graphical user interface. After the blurred graphical user interface design has been determined to be readable, then a higher fidelity graphical user interface is made.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Sachiko Kobayashi, Patrick Hanslits, David Lyon, Gary L. Braddock, Narayani Mital
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Patent number: 10569658Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a bi-directional inverter of a vehicle. The bi-directional inverter may include an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) inverter configured to receive AC power from a power grid and generate DC power on a DC bus operatively coupled to a vehicle battery. The bi-directional inverter may also include a DC to AC inverter configured to receive DC power from the DC bus and generate AC power delivered to the power grid. The bi-directional inverter may also include an energy management system operatively coupled to the AC to DC inverter and the DC to AC inverter and configured to selectively operate the bi-directional inverter in a charging mode or a generation mode. Additionally, the bi-directional inverter may include a power line communications (PLC) coupler configured to transfer electronic data between the energy management system and a power plant network through the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North of AmericaInventor: Jesus Manotas, Jr.
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Patent number: 10575151Abstract: On-board equipment in a motor vehicle includes a C-V2X communication device receiving a first signal from road side equipment having a known position. The C-V2X communication device transmits a second signal having content that is dependent upon a length of time in which the first signal traveled from the road side equipment to the C-V2X communication device. A GPS device is communicatively coupled to the C-V2X communication device and receives the second signal from the C-V2X communication device. The GPS device estimates a position of the vehicle. The estimating is dependent upon the second signal from the C-V2X communication device.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Sameh William Tawadrous, Hans A. Troemel, Jr.
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Patent number: 10501018Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a left side view camera attached to the left lateral side of the body and having a field of view in a rearward direction. A right side view camera is attached to the right lateral side of the body and has a field of view in a rearward direction. There is a right back up camera and a left back up camera. An optics module receives resulting video signals and produces light fields such that the light fields are reflected off of windows of the motor vehicle and are then visible to a driver of the motor vehicle as virtual images.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventor: Benjamin David Sweet
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Patent number: 10505453Abstract: An AC capable power amplifier arrangement is realized that includes a buck converter with a power inductor, two buck switches, and alternately a buck-boost converter using four switches, each driving an output polarity steering set of four switches. The polarity steering switches convey the converter output current to output terminals that connect to a load with a capacitor connected in parallel. A differential receiver is connected to the output terminals to provide negative feedback. A mixer receives an input voltage signal, an output of the differential receiver, and output from a triangle wave generator. A set of two comparators for buck amplifier conversion, or four comparators for buck-boost amplifier conversion, each receives an output of the mixer. Each of the comparators produces a respective output for driving the converter switches through simple steering logic interfaces between the comparators, the converter components and a polarity steering output stage.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Richard Dennis Fay, Jerry Alan Rathje