Patents Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11932245
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving identification of a path for an ego vehicle on a roadway. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to acquiring sensor data from at least one sensor of the ego vehicle about a surrounding environment, identifying roadway elements from the sensor data as cues about the path. The roadway elements include one or more of lane markers of the roadway and surrounding vehicles. The method includes grouping the roadway elements into two or more groups according to characteristics of roadway elements indicating common curvatures. The method includes analyzing the two or more groups according to a confidence heuristic to determine a priority group from the two or more groups that corresponds with a trajectory of the ego vehicle. The method includes providing an identifier for the priority group to facilitate at least path planning for the ego vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rohit Pandita, Ruiko Miyano
  • Patent number: 11932390
    Abstract: An aircraft can include a wing. A morphing member can be operatively connected to the wing. The morphing member can include a base and a shape memory material member operatively connected to the base. The base can be made of a flexible material. When the shape memory material member is activated, a shape of the morphing member can change. As a result, one or more aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft can be changed. In some arrangements, the flexible material can be a fabric, and the shape memory material member can be a shape memory alloy wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rikin Gupta, Shardul Singh Panwar, Taewoo Nam, Deborah Bumgardner, Yufei Zhu
  • Patent number: 11935417
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperatively managing mixed traffic at an intersection are disclosed herein. One embodiment determines, at an autonomous sensor-rich vehicle, that one or more other vehicles are following in the same lane, the one or more other vehicles including at least one legacy vehicle; communicates with the one or more other vehicles to form a platoon; receives Signal Phase and Timing (SpaT) information from a roadside unit associated with an intersection toward which the platoon is traveling; calculates at the autonomous sensor-rich vehicle, based at least in part on the SPaT information and location information for the platoon, a speed profile and a trajectory for the autonomous sensor-rich vehicle that minimize a delay of the platoon in traversing the intersection while accounting for fuel consumption; and executes the speed profile and the trajectory to control indirectly the one or more other vehicles while the platoon traverses the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehmet Ali Guney, Rui Guo, Prashant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 11935093
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of receiving an opt-in request to display information on a display of a vehicle configured to be viewed from outside of the vehicle, authenticating the request to allow displaying information on the display, determining information associated with the vehicle to be displayed on the display, determining misuse of the information displayed on the display based on a notification from another vehicle, and flagging the misuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Paul Li, John F. Daly, Rohit Gupta, Satoshi Nagashima, Adrian Lombard
  • Patent number: 11935404
    Abstract: A method of operating a traffic management system may comprise identifying a vehicle queue in a first lane of a road based on sensor data from one or more connected vehicles traveling along the road, determining driving instructions for a connected vehicle within a queue management region in a second lane, adjacent to the first lane, to create a gap in front of the connected vehicle for a vehicle in the vehicle queue to change lanes into the gap, and transmitting the driving instructions to the connected vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Baik Hoh, Hao Yang, Seyhan Ucar, Kentaro Oguchi
  • Patent number: 11935310
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to managing a vehicular micro cloud. A method may include determining join/leave protocols for a vehicular micro cloud and transmitting the join/leave protocols to a local vehicle in a vicinity of the vehicular micro cloud prior to the local vehicle joining the vehicular micro cloud. The join/leave protocols can define at least: 1) a procedure for the local vehicle to join the vehicular micro cloud and contribute computing resources to a collaborative micro cloud task, and 2) a protocol for handing an incomplete task when the local vehicle leaves the vehicular micro cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Seyhan Ucar, Takamasa Higuchi, Chang-Heng Wang, Enes Krijestorac, Onur Altintas
  • Patent number: 11932114
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems to provide for technology to that includes a first power electronics module including a plurality of first transistors that are diagonally offset from each other, and a second power electronics module stacked on the first power electronics module. The second power electronics module includes second transistors that are diagonally offset from each other. The second transistors are staggered relative to the first transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fujioka, Shailesh N. Joshi, Danny J. Lohan
  • Patent number: 11932736
    Abstract: A non-woven carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite object is formed by the variable frequency microwave (VFM) irradiation of a mixed fiber sheet of thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers and wavy carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mixed fiber sheets are prepared from a slurry of the thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers, and wavy CNTs such that the wavy CNTs contact the carbon fibers and thermoplastic fibers. Upon irradiation with VFM radiation, the wavy CNTs generate heat and transfer the heat to the thermoplastic fibers, causing melting of the thermoplastic to form the matrix of the CFRTP composite object. The mixed fiber sheets can be combined alone or with other sheets to form laminar composites that are molded into objects and heated by VFM irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Yuyang Song, Umesh N. Gandhi, Piran R. Kidambi
  • Patent number: 11931773
    Abstract: The systems and methods utilize thermal energy linked to certain colors vehicles may be manufactured in a single color and changed to a specific color at a dealership before customer purchase and/or throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. A system for modulating vehicle paint of a vehicle includes a paint layer disposed on an exterior surface of the vehicle and a color modulator configured to radiate a light such that the paint layer reacts when the paint layer is exposed to the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaiha
    Inventors: Lauren M. Abro, Yuko N. Gidcumb, Michelle R. Vargo, Lindsay A. Babian
  • Patent number: 11934576
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes measuring brain activity for a target frequency and a second harmonic frequency based on a default value of display parameters for a plurality of icons, determining whether a strength of the target frequency and the second harmonic frequency are below a threshold level, and modifying one or more display parameters in response to the strength of the target frequency and the second harmonic frequency being below the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER
    Inventors: Insoo Kim, Hossein Hamidi Shishavan, Kia Golzari, Muhamed Farooq, Ercan M. Dede
  • Patent number: 11935254
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving depth prediction for objects within a low-light image using a style model. In one embodiment, a method includes encoding, by a style model, an input image to identify content information. The method also includes decoding, by the style model, the content information into an albedo component and a shading component. The method also includes generating, by the style model, a synthetic image using the albedo component and the shading component. The method also includes providing the synthetic image to a depth model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Guo, Xuewei Qi, Kentaro Oguchi, Kareem Metwaly
  • Publication number: 20240082934
    Abstract: A tool shank holder includes a body comprising a shank-receiving end and a bit-receiving end. The shank-receiving end is configured to operably receive a shank of a tool and the bit-receiving end is configured to operably receive a driver bit. A connector is provided at the shank-receiving end that is configured to directly connect the shank-receiving end to the shank of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Charles L. Cain, Blair C. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20240083432
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activating mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate the stop-and-go traffic. Mitigation strategies can be applied to reduce stop-and-go traffic or prevent a control vehicle from experiencing stop-and-go traffic. The control vehicle can predict when to apply mitigation strategies based on sensor data that can be applied to generate a trajectory for the control vehicle or a preceding vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: YASHAR ZEIYNALI FARID, Kentaro Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20240084788
    Abstract: A soft actuator includes an origami structure with an inflatable hollow body formed from at least one of Dyneema fabric or Kevlar fabric, and a plurality of TCPAs formed from at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, spandex, and nylon. The soft actuator also includes a plurality of heating wires disposed on the plurality of TCPAs and a controller configured to selectively heat the plurality of heating wires such that the plurality of TCPAs are selectively actuated by being heated by the plurality of heating wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuyang Song, Shinnosuke Shimokawa, Danil V. Prokhorov, Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Publication number: 20240083453
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of: determining, by a server, a time when a vehicle at a charging bay of a charging station has completed charging, sending, by the server, an authorization to autonomously move the vehicle after the time, and providing, by the server, a location to move the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
  • Publication number: 20240087453
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activating mitigation strategies through a cloud-based system. Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein can provide mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate the stop-and-go traffic. A control vehicle can activate a mitigation strategy and operate the vehicle in accordance with the mitigation strategy based on stop-and-go waves. The mitigation strategy may comprise maintaining the vehicle at a reference speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kathy Jang, Yashar Zeiynali Farid, Kentaro Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20240087452
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activating mitigation strategies through a cloud-based system. Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein can provide mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate the stop-and-go traffic. A control vehicle can activate a mitigation strategy and operate the vehicle in accordance with the mitigation strategy based on stop-and-go waves. The mitigation strategy may comprise maintaining the vehicle at a reference speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yashar Zeiynali Farid, Kentaro Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20240087455
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to count, based on sensor data received from vehicles located in a parking lot, the number of non-parked vehicles located in the parking lot within a time period. The instructions further cause the processor to determine an occupancy status of the parking lot based on the number of non-parked vehicles located in the parking lot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Higuchi, Kentaro Oguchi
  • Patent number: 11926322
    Abstract: A hybrid deterministic override to cloud based probabilistic advanced driver assistance systems. Under default driving conditions, an ego vehicle is controlled by a probabilistic controller in a cloud. An overall gap between the ego vehicle and a leading vehicle is divided into an emergency collision gap and a driver specified gap. The vehicle sensors monitor the overall gap. When the gap between the ego vehicle and the leading vehicle is less than or equal to the emergency collision gap, a deterministic controller of the ego vehicle overrides the cloud based probabilistic controller to control the braking and acceleration of the ego vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rohit Gupta, Yanbing Wang, Ziran Wang, Kyungtae Han, Prashant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 11927236
    Abstract: A rotating machine system include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include a plurality of vibration isolators. The vibration isolators can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing. The vibration isolators can be compression-type vibration isolators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Paul A. Gilmore, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman